Calling President Bush’s decision on embryonic stem cell research a cautious compromise and a “good first step,” two local Jewish experts hope his approval of limited federal funding is just the first of many steps to advance potentially life-saving research.
Like most Jewish experts in the field, both Laurie Zoloth and Michael Goldman applauded Bush’s decision last week, because it is allowing some federal funding to continue. Embryonic stem cell research could result in promising treatment for conditions ranging from diabetes to Alzheimer’s to spinal cord injuries.
But since the president will allow funding for research only on about 60 existing stem cell “lines” or colonies, they expressed hope that the scope of government funding would be expanded in the future.
Goldman, a biology professor at San Francisco State, called Bush’s decision restricting, but “a reasonable compromise.”
Zoloth, director of the Jewish studies program at San Francisco State and president of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, called the decision “a complicated one that balances” both the left and the right.
“Bush had before him far worse choices,” said Zoloth. “As a Republican president with a deep commitment to a Christian constituency he could have prohibited the research completely or even criminalized it. At the end of the day, he has at least allowed some research to go forward.”
Scientifically, however, Zoloth noted some problems. She questioned the actual existence of 60 stem cell lines, saying serious doubts have been raised in the scientific community as to the actual number of lines.
Of the cell lines that have been cultured in laboratories, some scientists have voiced concern that not all are producing stable, usable stem cells.
Since stem cell research is relatively new, scientists don’t know “how many lines we’ll need,” said Zoloth. The 60 “may be sufficient, but it’s too early to know now.”
Goldman worries that the limits imposed by Bush might hinder medical progress. “In a sense we are all in a race with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and other diseases, which could be potentially helped by advancing stem cell research,” he said.
On the other hand, Goldman believes Bush’s decision is “a good first step.”
“We don’t have to jump to the last step just yet. For now, in our current state of knowledge, we can gain a lot by working with what we’ve got.”
In his first prime-time speech to Americans Aug. 9, Bush sidestepped the difficult ethical questions that would have come with full support or a full ban of embryonic stem cell research.
“I have concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for research on these existing stem cell lines, where the life-and-death decision has already been made,” Bush said.
Polls show that a majority of Americans support federal funding for the research — and most Jewish ethicists also agree that tradition allows embryos that would otherwise be discarded to be used for research that has the potential to benefit humankind.
“I have found remarkable unity among Jewish scholars on the use of embryonic stem cells,” said Zoloth. “Halachically, they do not consider the bundle of cells to be the moral equivalent of a human being. Plus, one of the strongest moral imperatives within Jewish law is healing — the cells show enormous promise for that.”
A stem cell, which is originally created when an egg is fertilized, has a unique capacity to renew itself and to develop into specialized cell types. Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells “are seemingly immortal,” said Zoloth.
Researchers use stem cells to replace cells that are damaged or diseased, offering promise for conditions that cannot yet be cured.
“The dream is to be able to create from these lines sheets of tissue which could be used to replaced damaged tissue,” said Zoloth. “So if your pancreas cells are not making enough insulin — these could.”
Turning to the ethical issues, Zoloth said that in the Jewish community, “there are often issues that seem to divide the different movements. ” Embryonic stem cell research does not. “It has wide ranging acceptance among Jews.”
The Orthodox Union, for instance, recently came out in favor of stem cell research and said it is comfortable with Bush’s stance.
“Our limits would have been more expansive,” said Nathan Diament, director of the Orthodox Union’s Institute for Public Affairs. “But there’s nothing wrong with proceeding with caution.”
In the Reform movement, Rabbi Richard Address, director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations’ department of Jewish family concerns, said Bush had opted for a “safe decision.”
“I wish it went further,” he said, but acknowledged the political reality Bush faced.
Address said he hopes this step will motivate people to reflect on the link between tradition and medical technology, and make these matters part of the public discourse.
Zoloth agreed, adding that because of “the potential ethical dilemmas on all sides of this research” it’s important to make the public understand it and “witness the science that’s being carried out in our names.”
Bush also will establish a council on bioethics to look at issues such as stem cell research, cloning, assisted reproduction, gene therapy, psychoactive drugs and brain implants.
Goldman said he hopes that means Bush will be open to expanding the limits on stem cell research in the future.
“I don’t know why he would have bothered to form a commission if he wasn’t going to flex on it,” said Goldman. “I would hate to have to wait for the next administration — I don’t want to be just four years short of finding the cure for something.”