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STEM CELL BATTLES
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After World War Two, the General who led the Allied effort, Dwight David Eisenhower, ran for President. It was agreed by all that he was absolutely going to win.
Adlai Stevenson, Democrat, was also running for President. He was a fine man, a brilliant thinker and speaker, and he had no chance at all.
It was predicted to be (and was) a landslide for the moderate Republican.
But, a reporter asked the Democrat, why was he even running, since everyone knew he was going to lose?
And Adlai Stevenson replied:
“It is important that the national dialogue continue.”
That is why we must fight in any state willing to put up an effort to protect its right to research—even including Louisiana.
I almost gave up on Louisiana as a stem cell support state.
I actually did write an article called “Leave Louisiana?” explaining why we should.
I was discouraged because I had been trying to locate a stem cell research advocate in Louisiana, whom I could support in a one-sided battle against a Brownback-style bill to ban funding for Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, an advanced form of stem cell research.
Usually, I can find at least 10 or 15 advocates in a state, but not this time. I could not make contact with anyone.
Never have I felt so much like giving up on a state.
It was like, well--
Like being a battlefield surgeon.
Around you are wounded soldiers: groaning, bleeding, some about to die.
Which lives would you try to save?
The decision is made, I am told, on what is called the “triage” system: a life-death decision based on which soldiers have the best chance to live—and abandoning those who have the least hope.
Like Louisiana?
I used to work in Louisiana. I was an apprentice commercial deepsea diver in Morgan City, Louisiana, fresh out of dive school, looking for work. I got a job as a deckhand on a crewboat ferrying supplies to and from the oil rigs. At night I heard the alligators booming their mating calls over the bayous. By day I ate Cajun cuisine—jambalaya you could stick a knife in and it would not topple over—so spicy I cried and begged for more.
The soft-voiced people there were good folks, like everywhere.
But the Louisiana state government is owned and controlled by anti-research forces: the Republican Party, and conservative religion.
In 2004, the Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders approved a resolution opposing embryonic stem cell research—without even a discussion.
And while Catholics themselves approve of embryonic stem cell research, (one poll shows 72% support) their leadership is probably the world’s greatest obstacle to cure.
Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-1 in leadership positions.
Their Governor, Bobby Jindal, claims to have participated in a religious exorcism.
No, I am not joking.
Jindal wrote a published article describing how his Catholic faith not only exorcised a demon from a lady friend, but also cured her cancer.
Their U.S. Senator, Democrat Mary Landrew (well, alleged Democrat, I do not see much difference between her and the most conservative Republicans), was co-author of Senator Sam Brownback’s bill to send researchers to jail for an advanced form of stem cell research: SCNT (Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, called therapeutic cloning).
That bill was offered four times, backed by President Bush. Fortunately, the stem cell advocacy community was able to block it in the Senate.
Today, Louisiana is trying again with a couple of similar bills-- guaranteed to pass.
The Louisiana House voted 90-9 in favor of the legislation (House Bill 370, brought by Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Jefferson) … The Senate is expected to act similarly.
Governor Jindal is anti-embryonic stem cell research, of course, and will definitely sign any anti-research bill into law.
HB 370 bans government funding for Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer. I cannot find the penalties for the new law, but if it is anything like the previous Louisiana attempt (January 1, 2004), the penalties for using SCNT to make new stem cell lines will be up to ten years in jail and up to ten million dollars in fines.
One day, Louisiana will change its mind.
As cures begin to be found in other states, the state will change its position-- or its leadership.
The families of Louisiana will look at the members of their family who suffer diseases being cured in other states, and remember those who stood in the way.
Voters will reward those who had the courage to support research, and replace those who allowed ideology to get in the way of a family’s right to access cure.
What is the price of blocking research?
Not only are cures delayed and denied to sick people everywhere, but the state of Louisiana will be blocked from participation in a growing new industry.
In 2004, Dennis Donovan, a site-selection expert for biotech companies, had this to say about a similar bill.
“You can kiss biotech goodbye,” he said, “This has reinforced Louisiana’s reputation as a backwater state…”(Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, June 22, 2004)
How many families will be denied an income because of this shortsightedness?
And what if you yourself were a researcher? Imagine waking up some morning to find that your research has suddenly become illegal-- and you are now a criminal…
My advice for any biomedical companies, researchers, medical students-- or families with a person suffering chronic illness or injury?
I would tell them to leave Louisiana.
And yet that is their home.
And what if a cure for paralysis, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, or diabetes could be discovered at one of their fine universities—if the funding could be made available?
I was electronically introduced to a friend at Tulane University, who sent me some clippings including one article from the Times-Picayune: “ … cutting off potential funding would deny a possible avenue for important cures. "I do not want any process hindered in the state of Louisiana or any other state that could possibly bring a cure for my little girl," Kyle Ardoin, a former lobbyist said. He testified in a halting, sometimes shaky voice about finding out more than a year ago that his daughter, now 8, has diabetes and about the daily ritual of blood tests and shots that the disease requires. Despite opposition from Ardoin and Carl Marks of the Louisiana chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the bill by Henry, R-New Orleans, drew no objection from any committee member and goes next to the full House.”—Times-Picayune, 4/9/2008, Kevin McGill, AP So, of course we are going to fight.
Even if we lose in Louisiana this time, which we will, we will plant seeds there, as for trees that will one day bring shade to others-- just as we benefit from the work of those who went before: friends and fellow-warriors we will never meet.
I heard there is someone in the Louisiana MS community, whom is already organizing. I don’t know her name yet, but somebody does—if you do, please contact me.
Also, I think JDRF has some friends in the area. A man named Carl Marks was mentioned in the article. Naturally I can’t ask the JDRF headquarters for names and contact info, because groups don’t give out information like that.
But if you know anyone in Louisiana, please hook me up with them.
In the meantime, how about a letter to the editor?
http://newslink.org/lanews.html These are the newspapers of Louisiana; would you consider writing one of them, and say, “as a stem cell research supporter, I oppose HB 370.”--??? You can add anything you want, of course, but that is the core message.
Here is the actual form (clickable kind, super easy) you can use to send a letter to the editor at the state’s largest newspaper, the venerable Times-Picayune: http://www.nola.com/contactus/
Remember, every letter helps, even if it is not published. We always educate the editor!
Your letter can be as short as one sentence.
Mine is longer, of course, because I am used to babbling in print.
Here is a copy of what I just sent to the Times-Picayune.
Dear Editor:
Tulane University is a highly regarded educational and research center, one of the most respected in the nation.
It would be a shame to see legislation passed that would deny its participation in advanced stem cell research.
I am an outsider to your state. But some things are universal; as a parent of a paralyzed young man, I know all too well how the agony of incurable disease and disability can affect families in any state.
Every family deserves access to the best medical care and treatment available.
HB 370 would deny the families of your state access to what may well be a great leap forward in medical research.
Although it is called therapeutic cloning, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer involves no reproduction of human beings at all: no sperm, no implantation in the womb, no womb at all—and absolutely no child.
It is cells, cells, nothing but cells—and the possibility of cure.
HB 370 (Cameron Henry, R-New Orleans) would deny funding to this potentially valuable research.
Louisiana deserves better.
Don C. Reed
Meanwhile, back at the weblog…
Below is a statement from The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), which of course has no connection whatsoever with my opinions.
Here is what they had to say, on the other Louisiana stem cell research bill.
Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research 2021 K Street, N.W., Suite 305 ♦ Washington D.C. 20006 ♦ 202.725.0339♦ www.camradvocacy.org Dedicated to Advancing Stem Cell Research
April 9, 2008
The Honorable Jim Tucker. The Honorable Joel T. Chaisson, II Speaker of the House, President of the Senate Louisiana House of Representatives Louisiana Senate State Capitol Building State Capitol Building P.O. Box 94062 P.O. Box 94183 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Dear Speaker Tucker and Senate President Chaisson:
I am writing on behalf of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) regarding legislation currently before the Louisiana State Legislature. Our coalition and its 100 members oppose the Human Cloning Prohibition Act (SB 248).
CAMR represents the voices of patients, scientists, physicians and academic institutions across the country in the debate over stem cell research and the future of regenerative medicine. We have grassroots members from patient and other advocacy organizations in every state in the nation, including Louisiana.
We join with patient groups, leading scientists, the National Academy of Sciences, and a large majority of the American people in opposing human reproductive cloning and implantation. The Human Cloning Prohibition Act (SB 248) however, goes far beyond banning reproductive cloning by prohibiting somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) research. SCNT is an important procedure that is fundamentally different than reproductive cloning and aims to save and improve lives. For this reason, CAMR works on state, federal, and international levels to support efforts that fund and promote SCNT research.
SCNT is a research technique used to derive stem cells and as such, it could lead to dramatic new treatments and cures for now incurable diseases and medical conditions. SCNT could be used to help nearly 100 million Americans suffering from cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, ALS, and other devastating conditions for which treatments and cures must still be found. The current definition of “human cloning” in SB 248 is broadly written and includes SCNT procedures. The strongest and most effective ban on human reproductive cloning is one which aims to prevent implantation and human asexual reproduction that results from implantation. Any attempt to intervene with prohibitions prior to implantation effectively ends stem cell research that could save lives.
CAMR is also opposed to any attempt to criminalize legitimate, scientific research. We believe SB 248 would establish a dangerous precedent by making doctors and scientists criminals subject to imprisonment.
We are encouraged by last year’s reversal of the ban on SCNT research in Iowa and urge the state of Louisiana to support SCNT and other important stem cell research efforts rather than take a step back by passing prohibitive legislation such as SB 248.
Sincerely, Amy Comstock Rick President, Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research
Want more info about the Louisiana struggle?
Copy and paste this url into your browser:
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-38/120775946697850.xml&storylist=louisiana And stay tuned.
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