BIO President Questions States’ Restrictions On Embryonic Stem Cell Research

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President James Greenwood said: Arizona’s scientists and citizens are missing out on a potential lucrative source of research funds and medical benefits because of the state’s strict limits on embryonic stem-cell research.

“That seems to be a no-brainer,” Greenwood said Friday of allowing research of stem cells that are harvested from embryos discarded by fertility clinics. “They are going to be destroyed one way or another.”

Arizona’s restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research come from two laws passed by the state Legislature. One prevents scientists from conducting research on cells collected from an aborted fetus. Another state law prohibits any public or government research institute from using federal, state or private money on “human cloning,” which is defined in a way that blocks the scientific process involved with embryonic stem-cell research, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Arizona’s ban does not apply to other types of stem-cell research, including projects involving adult stem cells or stem cells harvested from a newborn’s cord blood. Actually, several Arizona scientists have pursued stem-cell research projects not involving embryonic stem cells.

Arizona’s biotech interests largely have not pushed for a change in law to allow embryonic stem-cell research. Some scientists believe the technology may make the ethical issue surrounding such research moot as new methods are developed.

“My hope and expectation is the science will allow research beyond the use of embryonic stem cells, and it will get the same results,” said Bob Eaton, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Bioindustry Association.

Overall, the biotech industry faces more pressing challenges, said Greenwood, who was in Phoenix last week to meet with biotechnology interests. Many companies are fighting for survival because of the recession and investors’ aversion to the high-risk, high-reward industry.

If lawmakers adopt a plan that hastens the approval and use of generic drugs, it would result in substantial savings for consumers. But Greenwood said it would effectively eliminate the biotechnology industry’s incentive to invest in research and development of new drugs, diagnostics and medical devices. Such a move would ultimately gut economic development, resulting in fewer high-paying jobs and less innovation. “We lead the world in this industry,” Greenwood said.

“Investors need to feel comfortable with making large investments,” Greenwood said.