Lansing-Feb. 23, 2006- Some legislators want to break the limits that have held back scientists in the state from doing embryonic stem cell research.

Michigan is one of several states to restrict such research, including work with live and cloned embryos.

A stem cell is one with  a self-renewal capacity and the potential to produce any type of cell in the body.

James Trosko, a professor in the Pediatrics and Human Development Department at Michigan State University, said researchers can work with adult stem cells, but there are its limitations.

“When a researcher is able to work with embryonic stem cells, they would be dealing with all of the body’s human cells, which would be close to 200 cells,” Trosko said. “With an adult’s stem cells, a researcher can only get a limited amount because stem cells die as a person gets older.”

In 1987, Trosko and his colleagues created the first isolated human stem cells to help with their study of cancer.

Trosko said adult stem cell research is legal in Michigan because adults consent to giving up their cells while an embryo can’t.

“It seems to always come down to a religious, ethical and philosophical issue,” Trosko said.  “The problem people have with embryonic research is whether they view that embryo as a human being or not.”

Under current state law, scientists caught using public facilities or public funds to do embryonic stem cell research could be fined $10 million and sent to prison for 10 years.

One of the major reasons for these restrictions was the strength of Republican leadership in both the House and Senate.

Matt Resch, director of communications for Republican caucus leader Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, said caucus members want to increase the amount of embryonic stem cells in research labs, but there’s no reason to be hasty.

“We should not be creating for the sake of destroying,” Resch said. “What we have tried to do for embryonic research is create stem cell banks that parents can donate their child’s umbilical cord to and get stem cells from that cord.”

Prof. Sean Morrison, director of the University of Michigan’s stem cell research lab, said he can’t the help he needs with restrictive laws on the books.

“I hear the governor talk about our current economic issues,” Morrison said. “My problem is I spend all this time trying to recruit stem researchers that will help me and could help our economy as well.  Legislators are making it as hard as possible for me to do this, and it makes me wonder if they are serious about the state of life sciences.”

The state’s laws are some of the most restrictive in the country, he said, and that it seems as if Michigan is going backward while states such as California are moving forward.

That’s one reason why some legislators such as Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, and Rep. Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale, are pushing to lift the ban.

“I’m very enthusiastic about this bill,” Whitmer said. “Additional to that is the promise of this type of research is endless.”

Whitmer said her passion runs deep because relatives have experienced diseases such as Alzheimer’s that could be treated with stem cells.

“There has been a lot of discussion among Democrats and Republicans on the subject,” Whitmer said. “People talk about how unique embryonic stem cells are and how much promise they carry. The potential cures, the economic development - - the list is endless for what this research could give us.”

MSU Trosko said Stem cell therapy such as blood transfusions for leukemia patients, exists, but the type of cures that that could come out of further research is endless.

“Cell regeneration therapy like re-growing skin back on burn victims,” he said. “Diabetes, Parkinson’s and even spinal cord regeneration in paralysis victims can be sought through stem cell research.”

With more states removing bans that limit such research, Michigan needs to stop holding itself back and find a way to get rid of its limitations, said Senate Democratic Caucus leader, Mark Schauer of Battle Creek

“There is plenty of research and economic potential that could come out of this research,” Schauer said. “We’re tying our hands behind our backs in terms of our research ability and we plan to take a look at ways to enhance our abilities better.”