MCSCRC Special Alert

MCSCRC Newsletter 3rd Quarter

In this issue:

Legislation would hamstring search for cures
University of Michigan researcher to lead ALS clinical trial
Global 2010 summit in Detroit is possible, report says
MCSCRC gets national award
State researchers detail Michigan research regulations
NIH accepting research requests for embryonic stem cell lines
FDA delays human clinical trials for spinal cord injuries

Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures is dedicated to educating and informing citizens about the next steps and new legislative and scientific developments in stem cell research in Michigan and beyond. There is roadwork ahead for citizens, scientists, researchers, policy makers, educators, and business leaders.

Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research & Cures (MCSCRC) is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition formed to educate Michigan citizens about the science, the medical potential and the policies affecting stem cell research in Michigan.

MICHIGAN NEWS

Legislation introduced in the Michigan Senate by Sen. Tom George (R-Kalamazoo) and supported by Right to Life of Michigan would place unnecessary regulations on Michigan’s new stem cell law, which was supported by voters last year, a prominent supporter of stem cell research told the MIRS capital newsletter recently. Among other conditions, the “Embryo Research and Fertility Clinic Transparency Act,” states that embryos could not be bought or sold for anything of value, MIRS reported. It would also set civil fines for researchers who use embryos over 14 days old and would ban the creation of human-animal hybrids. Proposal 2 carries strict regulations on stem cell research in Michigan and did not change the state’s strict cloning laws.
"One of the oldest legislative ploys known is if a bill or constitutional amendment passes that you disagree with, immediately throw up regulatory barriers in front of it,” former Congressman Joe Schwarz, campaign chair for Proposal 2, told MIRS. “Right to Life will stop at nothing to hamstring Proposal 2 and embryonic stem cell research in Michigan. The sad thing is they are hamstringing effective treatments and cures for maladies like juvenile diabetes.” Click here to read: MIRS, June 18
University of Michigan neurologist Dr. Eva Feldman, M.D, Ph.D will lead the first human clinical trial of adult stem cell treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). During the clinical trial, stem cells will be injected into the spines of patients with the fatal neurodegenerative disease in an effort to find cures and therapies. Click here to read more about the clinical trial: http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=1306
Crain’s Detroit Business reported Detroit is being considered as a host city for the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit which will be held next October. The three-day summit will attract thousands of researchers, doctors and advocates from more than 25 countries. Click here to read: Crain’s Detroit Business, Sept. 20.

MCSCRC FORUM

Members of MCSCRC returned from the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore with new connections, ideas and a national award. Sheri Mark, president, and Sophia Eichner, managing director, accepted the Education Award from the Genetics Policy Institute for MCSCRC’s unrelenting educational efforts across Michigan since its formation in 2006. The summit featured panel discussions led by top representatives in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, researchers, health care professionals, law and policy experts, non-profits, advocates, investors and philanthropists.
University of Michigan experts discussed the science, ethics, legalities and policies of stem cell research to the school’s Wolverine Caucus last week. During the forum “Stem Cell Research – The New Frontier,” Edward B. Goldman, J.D. and Jack Mosher, Ph.D addressed the status of embryonic stem cell research in Michigan since the passage of last year’s Proposal 2. The caucus meeting consisted of more than 65 U-M alums with a legislative background who meet with U-M experts on public policy subjects. Both Goldman and Mosher have been working with MCSCRC to educate Michigan citizens about the benefits of embryonic stem cells since 2006. In his presentation, Goldman detailed Michigan’s current policy:

Current state of Michigan law (no cloning, no chimeras, no germ line research but with the passage of Proposition 2 November 2008 we are now allowed to compete on a level playing field with other academic units in terms of creating our own cell lines).
Current state of federal law: Dickey-Wicker law prohibits funding for research that will destroy am embryo so creation of new lines is still funded privately. On March 9, 2009 President Obama issued Executive Order 13505, entitled “Removing Barriers to Responsible Research Involving Human Stem Cells.” The National Institute of Health (NIH) will now fund some stem cell research with a variety of lines.
Current regulations in force to protect embryos:
1. July 7, 2009 NIH rules:
  http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines.html
  Very strict rules on donation and informed consent mandating that only about to the destroyed embryos initially created for reproductive purposes can be donated (no compensation) for research. The research can not involve cloning or chimeras.
2. IRB rules:
  http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/stemcell.pdf
  If human subject information will be gathered or human subjects will be involved then the IRB must approve the research in advance.
3. Institute of Medicine Guidelines:
  http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3740/22140/26661.aspx
  These detailed guidelines set forth ethical consideration for stem cell research and are the basis for the NIH regulations. These guidelines require public education, an institutional oversight committee, no chimeras, no cloning and only use of freely donated about to be destroyed embryos initially created for reproductive purposes.
4. The U-M Escrow committee review:
  http://www.drda.umich.edu/policies/um/ESCells.html
  This U-M committee, constituted according to the Institute of Medicine guidelines, reviews every proposed research project involving embryos.
Thus, there are significant and sufficient regulatory and policy protections in place.

In keeping with its goal to be a one-stop information hub for stem cell research news, discoveries, policies, regulations and more, MCSCRC has completely updated its web site. The site now provides timely, accurate information on embryonic, adult and iPS stem cell research; Michigan law; federal policies; medical progress; regulations; news stories and more. In addition to updated information, a new search engine, Partners & Resources section and historic timeline have been added. Please visit www.StemCellResearchForMichigan.com

NATIONAL NEWS

The National Institutes of Health announced it is accepting research requests for embryonic stem cell lines. The Working Group for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Eligibility Review, an NIH-appointed group, will evaluate researchers’ applications who want to add specific human embryonic stem cell lines to the NIH official stem cell registry. Click here for more information: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2009/od-21.htm.
Clinical trials using embryonic stem cells to treat patients living with debilitating spinal cord injuries have been put on hold by the FDA. Geron Corp., a California bio-tech company, plans to test therapies to restore movement by using nerve cells made from embryonic stem cells. The FDA delay is another step to ensure the safe and ethical research on humans during these clinical trials. Click here to read: BioNews, Aug. 23.

GET INVOLVED

To learn more about stem cell research, or share information about stem cell research and what is being done in Michigan, you can:

Schedule a presentation. MCSCRC has developed a clear, easy-to-understand PowerPoint Presentation. Trained speakers are available throughout the state to present it to interested groups. We are happy to visit Rotaries, Kiwanis clubs, medical organizations, faith-based groups, political clubs and even community and neighborhood meetings. We welcome invitations from any organization, so pass the word around and schedule your free presentation today! Contact us at 248-948-5555.
Become a volunteer. MCSCRC is looking for volunteers to help with everything from making presentations to attending local stem cell events to helping out in the office. If you are interested in being trained as a speaker or would like to volunteer with MCSCRC in another way, please click here.
Tell a friend. Think you know someone who would like to learn more about stem cell research and MCSCRC? Forward this newsletter or simply tell them to visit our Web site at www.StemCellResearchForMichigan.com.
Donate. If you would like to support MCSCRC's efforts to educate Michigan residents about stem cell research, please click here to donate.

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