Medical Ethics Panel Says Bush-Approved Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Unsafe for Human Use

BALTIMORE, November 12, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A medical ethics panel announced Monday that the embryonic stem cell lines approved by President Bush for federally funded research are unsafe for human use since they were grown on mouse cells and could be contaminated.  The Johns Hopkins University organized panel which included experts from the US and Europe noted that the animal contamination could expose humans treated with the stem cells to an animal virus which human immune systems could not fight.  On Aug. 9, 2001, President Bush announced a compromise measure on the embryonic stem cell debate allowing federal funds to support research on human embryonic stem cell lines created by that date and refused funding for research on those created after that date.  While the panel suggested that President Bush allow for new stem cell lines which did not use animal ‘feeder layers’ to be federally funded, pro-life groups welcomed the news suggesting that the United States would thus be poised to become the world leader in pursuing adult stem cell research to its full potential.  “They could become the world leaders in ethical stem cell research, and maintain that distinction while other nations are distracted by unethical and medically problematic embryonic stem cell research,” said Hilary White, a researcher for Campaign Life Coalition Canada specializing in embryonic stem cell research.  See the USA Today coverage:  https://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2003-11-10-stem-cells-unethical_x.htm