(This update courtesy of the Media Research Center.)
by Brent Baker
President Bush’s decision on embryonic stem cell research is just too limited, CBS and NBC declared on Friday night. While both gave air time to a soundbite or two from pro-lifers, the two networks devoted whole stories to the upset scientists.
On the August 10 CBS Evening News John Roberts noted how “the first barrage came from the right, conservatives denouncing the plan to fund embryonic stem cell research as wrong — morally, scientifically and politically.” He soon cautioned: “There are deep concerns among scientists tonight that the strict limits on funding may forever damage the research.” CBS then ran a full story from Elizabeth Kaledin about the disappointed scientific community.
Over on the NBC Nightly News, Robert Bazell began by implying cures are right around the corner: “To understand the potential for stem cells, you can visit the lab of Dr. Evan Snyder at Children's Hospital in Boston. The cures so far with mice only, but amazing nonetheless. These animals, called shiverers, born with a nerve cell defect in their brain that causes them to shake constantly.”
After showing a video how stem cell implantation improve the mice, Bazell declared: “These results indicate stem cells might cure many nerve diseases like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. What effect will President Bush's new regulations have on the effort to translate these and similar animal results to humans? Dr. John Gearhart, a pioneer in the field, fears they will be severe.”
Dr. John Gearhart, Johns Hopkins University: “The limitations that the president has put on this is going to delay, I believe substantially, the progress that we need to make to bring these types of therapies to the bedside.”
Bazell elaborated: “Under the President's rules, scientists will be able to use only existing cell lines. Scientists create a stem cell line by first removing cells from an embryo and then putting them in dishes where the cells continue to multiply. But scientists worry there may not be 60 usable lines despite administration reassurances, so there may not be enough cells for critical experiments. What about stem cell research in private companies like Advanced Cell Technologies? Its CEO says federal money is crucial.”
Dr. Michael West, Advanced Cell Technology CEO: “Well, if this was all on our shoulders in the private sector, we could do maybe 1 percent of all of the applications that these cells could do in our lifetime.”
Bazell concluded: “That's why, despite disappointments, many scientists are grateful for at least some government support. Across the country, hundreds of researchers are waiting to begin human experiments to find out whether stem cells as are valuable as many hope, but many worry that Bush's restriction will make the effort much more difficult.”
