Several noted scientists in the field of human embryonic stem cells (hESC), including Rudolf Jaenisch, ventured to Capitol Hill last week (June 15) to lend support to a compromise Senate bill co-authored by conservative senator Rick Santorum (R-Penn.), designed to break the political logjam blocking additional Federal hESC research funding. Their appearance, however, is being criticized as potentially jeopardizing other legislation (HR 810, S 471) that would expand Federal funding to newly derived hESC cell lines in addition to the 22 currently eligible cell lines. "Dr. Jaenisch is a leading scientist, and with him standing next to Sen. Santorum, there's a risk that some senators might have the mistaken impression that [his bill] is a total substitute for the bill that would lift funding restrictions," Bernard Siegel, executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute, told The Scientist. Santorum's alternative research bill (S 2754),...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!