December 17, 2004/Tevet 5 5765, Vol. 57, No.16
Hadassah gets involved in stem cell issue
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
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Stem cell research has been a controversial topic in recent years. Religious and secular groups - and even the government - have debated the ethics of it.
In November 1998, scientists reported the successful isolation and culture of embryonic stem cells, according to the Office of Legislative Policy. The establishment of the stem cell lines has generated much interest among scientists, the public and patients with diseases possibly affected by stem cell research.
In August 2000, the Clinton administration published guidelines governing the use of stem cells. A scheduled review of pending grant applications was postponed in April 2001 by the Bush administration in order to review the issue. Finally, in August 2001, President George W. Bush issued the long-awaited decision: Funding would only be authorized for stem cell research using the existing stem cell lines as of Aug. 9, 2001.
A stem cell line is a population of cells able to renew themselves for long periods of time outside the body. Stem cell lines are grown in specialized incubators that resemble conditions found in the human body.
Hadassah, the largest Zionist group in the world, has been a huge proponent of stem cell research. The organization owns six of the original lines eligible for funding.
Marla Gilson, director of Hadassah's Washington Action Office, says the president's current policy needs to change.
"Legislation is not the main focus of proponents," Gilson says. "We are trying to change policy."
But in order to change policy, legislation must be enacted. When the congressional session closed before the November elections, little action had been taken on the issue.
Hadassah is supporting a bill in the House entitled "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2004," (H.R. 4682), which seeks to amend the current Public Health Service Act. The act, introduced in June 2004, was sponsored by Delaware Representative Michael N. Castle, and has been cosponsored by many others in the house, including Arizona representatives Raul Grijalva, Ed Pastor and Jim Kolbe.
The bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support stem cell research using human embryonic stem cells, but with the following caveats: stem cells must be derived from embryos donated through in-vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatments and must be in excess of a particular individual's needs; the embryos must never have been implanted; and individuals with the excess embryos must submit written consent to donate the leftover materials, and should receive no inducements.
Hadassah is also supporting Senate bill 303, the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R- Utah) and cosponsored by 11 other representatives including Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.). Penalties would be imposed on any person or institution that attempts to clone, while protecting the ability to conduct research on donated, unfertilized embryos.
But, as Gilson says, "The president is between a rock and a hard place."
Controversy over the issue stems from the pro-life sector. They interpret stem cell research as an abortion issue, which Gilson is adamant it is not.
"We don't see it connected to abortion in any way," Gilson says. And, even if it were related, Hadassah holds that Judaism allows for the woman's right to choose.
"We see abortion as a freedom of religion issue," Gilson says.
According to an information package published by Hadassah, the Talmud says that during the first 40 days of gestation, the fetus is "as if it were simply water."
"We are not killing the fetus," says Brown. "We are using water to improve existing lives."
Studies conducted at the Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem give credence to that mission. A press release issued Dec. 6 touted a major medical breakthrough due to research using stem cells. Researchers successfully showed that use of embryonic stem cells improved the functioning of a laboratory rat with Parkinson's Disease.
Jewish religious leaders focus on the potential lifesaving impacts stem cell research could have. Rabbi Zvi Holland, of the Phoenix Community Kollel, says that refusing to spend tax dollars on important and possibly lifesaving research so as not to offend some religious sensibilities is contrary to the spirit of the First Amendment.
"Jewish law is very pro-anything we can do to (extinguish) medical problems," says Holland.
Stem cells, however, are not the only option.
Hadassah Medical Center and Magon David Adom in Israel have partnered to promote the establishment of a national public Cord Blood Bank.
Though previously not used for medical purposes - embryonic stem cells are still preferred as they have not yet been formed and therefore can be molded into just about anything - blood from the placenta and umbilical cord have been shown to be a potential source of stem cells - without the added controversy.
The new Israel Cord Blood Bank, part of Hadassah's donor registry program, can offer patients hope in treating such diseases as leukemia, sickle cell anemia, Gaucher's disease and many more.
In fact, a news story on the Cord Blood registry Web site (www.cord blood.com) touted the benefits of using cord blood. A South Korean woman who had been paralyzed for 20 years was able to walk again after being treated with stem cell therapy.
But in order for all of these procedures to gain the funding needed, national policy must change. Hadassah has organized a "National Date with the State" on March 2. All are invited to join the march on the state capitol to educate elected officials on the importance of stem cell research and advocate for a change in policy and legislation. To join the march, call Beth Shapiro, 480-998-1880.
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