State bill supports stem cell research

OLYMPIA – A bill endorsing stem cell research could encourage private foundations and scientists to give more support to the work, researchers told a state Senate committee Tuesday.

“I certainly know people who would engage in the research if there was more funding and there weren’t quite the political uproar,” said Randall Moon, a member of the federally funded Exploratory Center for Human Embryonic Cell Research.

Under a bill proposed by Sen. Jean Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, the state would permit stem cell research, including the controversial use of embryonic stem cells, and prohibit human cloning.

Washington law currently doesn’t address stem cell research.

The bill takes a stance on the issue by affirming state support for the work, Kohl-Welles said. The senator, the committee’s chairwoman, sponsored a similar bill two years ago. She said she believes it will pass this year. The Senate Labor, Commerce and Research and Development Committee hosted hearings Tuesday on several science-related bills.

Gov. Christine Gregoire stopped by to testify in favor of three bills she has requested.

Her bills would create a life science research fund and a state academy of science, as well as encourage the ethical transfer of technology between universities and private businesses.

While Gregoire didn’t address the stem cell research bill, she has said in the past that she supports embryonic stem cell research and the prohibition of human cloning.

The bill did grab the attention of researchers, physicians and many others who were either afflicted with a disease that could benefit from stem cell research or close to someone who suffered from one.

Stem cells have the ability to develop into many types of cells. Research on how to use them could potentially lead to new treatments for diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health.

But the specific use of embryonic stem cells is a contentious topic. The cells are from human embryos created through in-vitro fertilization. Proponents of using these specific stem cells for research say they hold some of the greatest promise for finding cures. Opponents say using them is destroying human life.

Under the proposed law, fertility patients would be required to provide written consent before they donated any unused embryos for research.