Maryland May Fund Stem Cell Research

BALTIMORE (AP) - The members of a Maryland stem cell research commission were announced Thursday by Governor Robert Ehrlich. It will be an independent unit within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation.

The commission "will dictate the most appropriate areas for dollars," Ehrlich said. He added, "there is so much promise, it did not deserve to ever be bogged down with abortion politics or divisiveness to any extent."

Commission members have already expressed opposing opinions on the use of embryos in research.

Ehrlich appointee Joseph Capizzi, a professor at Catholic University in Washington, said at Thursday's announcement that he is opposed to destroying embryos for the sake of research "without question".

Capizzi said he knows he may come out on the losing side when council members vote on what studies to fund, but added "my job is to try to win the ones I'm able to win."

Fellow commission member Gloria Marrow, one of four members appointed by the state Senate President and House Speaker, said she supports embryonic stem cell research but understands the religious objections. Marrow's husband died several years after a heart transplant and she believes stem cell research could lead to treatment for people in similar situations.

"I have friends who are opposed to it even now, but I'm going to help them to understand, I hope, what it's all about," Marrow said.

Linda Powers, managing director of Toucan Capital and another appointee of the Senate President and House Speaker, said the Maryland legislation was written to "let the best cell type win."

"All the cell types are covered and they are all on an equal footing, let the best cell types and the best science win," Powers said.

The other members of the 15-member commission were named by Johns Hopkins University, the University System of Maryland, and the Maryland Attorney General.

Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can form every other cell in the body. Researchers say that ability may lead to cures and treatments for a number of diseases, conditions and injuries. While adult stem cells also exist, researchers say they are more limited.

Obtaining embryonic stem cells for research kills the embryo they are taken from, which is opposed by many conservative religious groups. Supporters say the stem cells can be obtained from unused embryos created for in vitro fertilization that would otherwise be destroyed.

Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research was sharply restricted by President Bush, limiting scientists to stem cell lines created before his Aug. 9, 2001 order. In response, Maryland and other states have approved funding for stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells. California has dedicated the most, with a $3 billion stem cell research institute, which is being challenged in court by opponents of embryonic stem cell research.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)