A hearing was held Wednesday to reinstate a ban on taxpayer funds being used for embryonic stem cell research.

The case, Sherley et al. v. Sebelius et al., was filed in federal court, Aug. 19, and seeks to overturn guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health, which allows for federal funds to be used for embryonic stem cell research.

Earlier this year, Pres. Barack Obama overturned guidelines established by the Bush administration that kept taxpayer dollars from being used on embryonic research, which would destroy or harm a human embryo.

Wednesday’s hearing resulted in a temporary suspension of the ability to allocate federal taxpayer dollars to embryonic stem cell research. The final decision in the court case is expected to take place Nov. 1.

Pro-life opponents of embryonic research argue that it causes the destruction of life. Researchers, and scientists who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research, argue the funds should be funneled to adult stem cells, as these cells are easier to control, have shown great promise, contributed to actual therapies, and have a much smaller chance of turning into tumors.

Researchers also point out that adult stem cells have already been successfully utilized to treat numerous medical conditions in humans, while embryonic medical treatments are still in the very early testing stages.

If the court case fails, more than $90 million in federal taxpayer dollars is expected to be allocated to embryonic stem cell research.

Currently in Kansas, only the University of Kansas Medical Center uses embryonic stem cells in research.

In January, Kenneth Peterson, professor and vice-chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, told Kansas Liberty, “We do have researchers on campus who are pursuing embryonic stem cell research compliant with all current laws and regulations.”

KUMC did not respond to Kansas Liberty’s questions of whether or not they have applied or received federal funds for this research.

The Stowers Research Institute also uses embryonic stem cells in its research, but because it is funded by a private endowment, the institute did not apply or receive any federal funds, said Stowers spokesperson Laurie Roberts.

Rep Steve Brunk, R-Bel Aire, said he was hopeful that the ban would be reinstated.

Brunk helped promote a successful amendment in the 2006 Legislative Session, which ensured that Kansas taxpayer dollars awarded to the Kansas Bioscience Authority could not be passed on to any entities for the purpose of conducting embryonic stem cell research.

While Kansas researchers cannot obtain taxpayer dollars through the Kansas Bioscience Authority for the purpose of embryonic stem cell research, they are able to gain access to state funds for embryonic stem cell research from other outlets.

Brunk is opposed to any taxpayer dollars, state or federal, being allocated to embryonic stem cell research.

“Taxpayer dollars should never be used to promote embryonic stem cell research,” Brunk told Kansas Liberty. “I don’t mind dollars being spent on adult stem cell research. Adult stem cell research is a proven science, and has proved to enhance the quality of life as opposed to embryonic stem cell research which destroys life, and is an unproven science.” 

Resources

Previously on Kansas Liberty:

Embryonic stem cells to be tested on humans

Sherley et al. v. Sebelius et al.

Stowers Institute for Medical Research

The Week in Review