Advocates of embryonic stem cell research hailed it a victory Friday when Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced his support for expanding federal funding for stem cell research despite a threatened veto from President George Bush.

“I think public opinion is pushing them,” said Kathy Mitchell, a Kansas University assistant professor who studies stem cells derived from umbilical cords. “The sad thing is, I get letters and e-mails from people all the time saying, ‘Can you help?’ and ‘Is there anywhere to go?’ We’re doing the best we can with the funding available. This has so much potential, and Frist’s decision is going to help people be even more positive.”

Frist, a Tennessee Republican and heart-lung transplant surgeon, broke ranks with President Bush, who established restrictions on the research in 2001.

The announcement angered anti-abortion groups but brought new hope to area scientists and those suffering from diseases that could be cured by the research.

Claudia Bode, a post-doctoral fellow at Kansas University, works underneath a tissue culture hood with stem cells in the lab of Kathy Mitchell in Malott Hall. On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., broke ranks with President Bush and supported expanded embryonic stem cell research.

Frist made his announcement in a lengthy speech Friday morning on the Senate floor.

“It isn’t just a matter of faith, it’s a matter of science,” he said. “The president’s policy should be modified.”

A bill loosening restrictions on embryonic stem cell research is pending in the Senate. Those restrictions limited federal funding to lines of embryonic stem cells that already existed at the time.

The cells, which can grow into any type of cell in the body, are extracted from days-old embryos, generally those that would be discarded at fertility clinics. Advocates say the cells could unlock cures and treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases.

The House approved the bill lifting the restrictions in May by a margin of 44 votes. That’s not enough to override a veto promised by Bush, though supporters predicted Frist’s endorsement would give the bill a veto-proof two-thirds majority in the Senate and could turn some House votes or could even sway the president to change his mind.

“I hope the president does not veto that,” said Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat from Lenexa. “If a clear strong majority in the House and Senate, and a strong majority of the American people, want this, I hope the president would let that become law.”

Claudia Bode, a KU researcher, displays samples of bone cells and cartilage cells that she has derived from umbilical cord cells.

Groups that equate the destruction of embryos to abortion and view it as immoral, denounced Frist’s decision and said it would hurt his chances if he decides to run for president in 2008.

“He cannot be pro-life and pro-embryonic stem cell funding,” said the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition. “Nor can he turn around and expect widespread endorsement from the pro-life community if he should decide to run for president.”

Both Kansas senators, Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback, have said they oppose the bill.

Brownback, who also has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2008, has been a leading opponent. Frist’s announcement could help solidify Brownback’s support from the Republican party’s conservative base.

Brownback reiterated his opposition to embryonic stem cell research Friday.

“There is a very basic principle that is involved here, though, and that is whether or not the young human embryo is a life or a piece of property,” Brownback said.

Research potential

• Congressional Briefing: Time to shine (07-20-05)
• Brownback works to ban human-hybrid research (07-05-05)
• Studies examine regenerative potential of stem cells (06-24-05)

Locally, researchers said they thought Frist’s announcement could turn the tide toward government support of embryonic stem cell research.

No one at KU or the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Mo., conducts embryonic stem cell research, though there are approximately seven researchers doing projects on cells derived from umbilical cords and adults.

Opponents of embryonic stem cell research say umbilical and adult stem cells hold as much promise as those gained from embryos, but advocates say all three types must be used to gain a complete picture of the cells’ potential.

Marcia Nielsen, assistant vice chancellor for health policy and government affairs at the KU Medical Center, said Frist’s endorsement was key because he is opposed to abortion.

Kathy Mitchell, an assistant professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology examines undifferentiated stem cells underneath her lab microscope Friday afternoon. On Friday, Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., announced that he will break ranks from President Bush and begin supporting embryonic stem cell research.

“Because Sen. Frist is seen as the go-to person on health care, I think it very much has the potential to turn the tide to being more open to embryonic stem cell research,” she said. “The thing that’s important to understand is that he both embraces a pro-life agenda but thinks science has a lot to offer in terms of embryonic stem cells.”

Bill Neaves, president of the Stowers Institute, predicted an explosion in the amount of stem cell research done in the United States if the restrictions are reversed.

“It should quickly allow the U.S. to gain its position of leadership internationally,” Neaves said.

Patient reaction

Frist’s announcement came as good news to Linda Davis of Lawrence, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1996.

“I’m amazed,” she said. “Most people in his position don’t change their minds on issues like this. He’s apparently seen some research that changed his mind.”

Davis, the wife of KU and Royals announcer Bob Davis, said stem cell research has given her and others with neurological diseases hope.

“For me, stem cell research may not be the answer, but it’s an avenue that ought to be checked,” she said. “It needs to be looked at – everything needs to be looked at. It may not be the answer, but it gives people like me hope that a cure will be found before the disease becomes debilitating.”

– J-W wire services and staff writers Dave Ranney and Scott Rothschild contributed to this report.