Culver calls for $12.5M to build research center

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By Charlotte Eby | Friday, January 26, 2007 2:12 AM CST | () comments

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, background right, takes a tour of a laboratory with Dr. Mark Anderson before giving a speech on his vision for the future of embryonic stem cell research in Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, at the Carver Biomedical Research Building on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Culver also announced his plan to include $12.5 million to this year's state budget for the construction of Iowa's Center for Regenerative Medicine to be built at the University of Iowa. (AP Photo/The Gazette, Brian Ray)

DES MOINES — Legislative leaders said they would move quickly to repeal restrictions on some forms of embryonic stem cell research at the urging of Gov. Chet Culver.

Culver was at the University of Iowa on Thursday, asking lawmakers to approve spending of $12.5 million to build Iowa’s Center for Regenerative Medicine there.

“We must commit state resources now to finding a cure and ensuring a high quality of life for future generations,” Culver said. “Right now, Iowa is at a competitive disadvantage with other states.”

He cited efforts in the surrounding states of Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri to build research facilities.

Culver, a Democrat, made the issue one of the centerpieces of his campaign last year, arguing that it could help find needed cures for a number of diseases as well as creating the opportunity for research jobs.

Culver brought in actor Michael J. Fox in the closing weeks of the race. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, stumped for several candidates across the country who support embryonic stem cell research.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said many Democratic lawmakers see the lifting of the ban as a chance to give hope to people who have diseases such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease. Gronstal said legislators would likely move forward with a proposal in committee next week.

“We think there’s really great opportunity there,” Gronstal said. “We have one of the premier hospital schools in the country at U of I Hospitals and Clinics. We think that’s an excellent place to continue to keep Iowa kind of in the forefront of life sciences research.”

He disputed claims by some opponents that the legislation also would lift the ban on human cloning. The restrictions on stem cell research passed in 2002 were paired with a ban on human cloning in the same bill.

“I think there are certainly people that put out misinformation on this whole issue,” Gronstal said.

Critics said the bill signed into law by previous Gov. Tom Vilsack was one of the most restrictive laws in the nation and chased prominent scientists out of the state while other states invested in research centers.

Culver pledged a turn-around.

“We will get back in the game, attracting researchers here with our facilities, the great minds on our research staff and the promise of a welcoming environment for their work,” he said.

But repealing the restrictions has been controversial with some conservatives.

State Rep. Betty De Boef, R-What Cheer, is opposed to lifting them or using state money to pay for a new center that allows embryonic stem cell research.

She doesn’t think embryos need to be destroyed to further stem cell research, citing success with adult stem cells.

“I don’t see why we want to go there, other than I believe it’s more about abortion rights than it is about finding cures for people,” De Boef said.

Iowa House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, also expressed doubts.

“I don’t know how they’re going to do that without lifting the ban on human cloning, so I’ll be curious to see what their legislation looks like,” Rants said.

Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.