NEBRASKA DECISION: Resolution to Ban Embryonic Stem Cell Research?
Friday, November 20th, Religious Right forces will attempt to impose their beliefs on the state of Nebraska. If they win, embryonic stem cell research will be banned at the University of Nebraska, (NU)— the only place large enough to do the research.
As you know, right to life groups had already agreed to a compromise law: LB 606, signed by every legislator in that state, and which was supposed to have settled the issue.
In exchange for major concessions and advantages given away by the pro-research side (no SCNT or therapeutic cloning, also no new stem cell lines made in the state, even a half-million dollar annual grant given to the Religious Right’s research of choice, adult stem cell research) the religious right groups agreed to back off on further anti-research legislation.
It was a harsh law, very restrictive. But at least it was something (we thought) that would let the researchers work without fear of further harassment.
Unfortunately: as soon the anti-research forces got their law, they immediately shifted their attack– to the only place in the state that could actually do the research.
If they can block embryonic stem cell research at NU, they will have succeeded with their original goal of blocking the research in the entire state, and all this talk of “compromise” will be revealed as an empty joke.
Technically, they did not break their word. Technically.
But it reminds me of another joke: remember the one about the Russians and the Americans having an athletic contest?
According to the story, the Russians had a two-way contest with America, some sports event with only two countries entered. Russia lost; America won.
But the Russian press release said: “Russian athletes perform brilliantly, finish strong second. American athletes do terribly, finish next to last.”
That press release was technically accurate. But its planned impact was otherwise.
Similarly, the Nebraska Religious Right did not break its carefully worded official promise—like a nation which signs a peace treaty, promising to end its war of bow and arrows and then shifts to machine guns instead—but there was a point of honor here.
The bill (LB 606) was supposed to settle the issue for the state. It was a compromise. It was carefully worked out, with the full involvement of the Religious Right groups in the state. It involved major restrictions on the research—but it could have been lived with.
It was peace.
And then the peace was violated by this new assault.
Personally, although an outsider to the state, I supported LB 606. I thought it was a reasonable compromise, though at the very edge of acceptability–and I backed it. Every great step forward is a compromise, and I supported this one. I felt it might be even be a useful example, an olive branch between two sides.
People in the middle can shake hands; extremists never can.
And then this happens?
Personally, if I were a member of the Religious Right, (which obviously I am not) I would be on the phone right now, recommending that the move against the University of Nebraska be stopped: because it poisons the well for chances for future cooperation.
But of course they are not taking my advice. Here is how they will try to block the research.
They essentially claim ownership of the board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Before the election, the Right to Life groups passed out a form, detailing their positions. If you wanted their support (which may swing 5% of the votes in a close election), you must agree to their demands. Apparently, a majority signed that political agreement.
Now, the Religious Right issued their commands: ordering the board to ban the research—shutting down the research they could not defeat in law.
Four Regents, all of whom received the Right to Life endorsement, wrote the resolution.
Four of eight. One more vote, and they can impose their policy. Who is that one man?
His name is Jim McClurg. Whatever he decides in the end, he deserves credit for courage. When offered a chance to co-author the resolution (and give it the fifth vote, which would have imposed it on the state) he declined, saying:
“There’s a lot of good people on both sides of this issue who have heartfelt opinions on it. I’ll decide once I’ve heard what everybody has to say.”
—World Herald Bureau, Leslie Reed, “Stem Cells to Face Vote”, November 13, 2009
The religious right is putting enormous pressure on Mr. McClurg. They have publicly posted his name, email, and phone number, and encouraged their members to call him. This is dirty pool, political bullying of the worst sort.
How would you like to have a bunch of religious enthusiasts calling your home, day and night?
As for the resolution itself, it is two pages of rationalization, trying to put as good a face as possible on the theft of research from a state.
Here is the only part that matters.
“…no research with stem cells derived from human embryos may be conducted unless the stem cell lines used in the research were derived prior to 8 p.m. Central Standard Time, on August 9, 2001….”
In other words, defy the Obama NIH guidelines, and go back the Bush era restrictions.
This is an extremist position: out of touch not only with the beliefs of Nebraskans ( NU President J.B. Milliken estimates that between 2/3 and ¾ of all Nebraskans support embryonic stem cell research) but also with the State’s government, the official state policy, America’s current policy and much more.
If the board obeys the right-to-life command, they will be overriding a carefully worked-out policy signed by all 48 Nebraska state legislators (Democrats and Republicans unanimously voted yes on LB 606, the compromise legislation), and the Governor of the State Dave Heineman, who signed that bill into law.
The policy also ignores the expert opinion of virtually the entire scientific community.
Do I exaggerate? Let me prove my point, two ways:
First, remember the national law, HR 3, the bi-partisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (Castle,DeGette), to allow federal funding for stem cell lines made from left-over blastocysts, which would otherwise have been thrown away after In Vitro Fertility (IVF) procedures.
Who was against it? Here is the official list of organizations which opposed this bill.
GROUPS AGAINST the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act:
The following list was obtained from the RSC Republican Study Committee, Rep. Jeb Hensnarling, (R-TX), Chairman, 132 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515.Legislative Bulletin, January 10, 2007
“National Right to Life Committee, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Family Research Council, Christian Coalition , Concerned Women for America, Focus on the Family, Christian Medical Association, Eagle Forum, Traditional Values Coalition, Southern Baptist Convention, Susan B. Anthony List, Republican National Committee for Life, Cornerstone Policy Research, Culture of Life Foundation, Religious Freedom Coalition, Coral Ridge Ministries, Center For Reclaiming America.”
End quote.
How many scientific groups do you see up there? How many patient groups? How many medical groups, disease advocacy groups, research groups–— there aren’t any. The opposition was entirely conservative religious/ideological political organizations.
And this, I strongly suspect, is what you would find if you made a list of those groups that are trying to kill the research at the college.
Point Two: Which groups support embryonic stem cell research? That group is huge, far too large to fit comfortable in this small column. A part of it is included at the bottom of the page.
But if you want to really see the vast level of support, here is a website to visit.
Alliance for Stem Cell Research is a group I worked with to help pass Proposition 71, which funds stem cell research in California, the largest source of embryonic stem cell research funding in the world.
If you push control/click on it, and go to “coalition”, you will see the really astonishing levels of American support for embryonic stem cell research.
If the Nebraska University Board of Regents caves in to the religious right, it will have a long term negative effect on the state. Jobwise, Nebraska will be denied opportunities open to the rest of the country. In humanitarian costs, the nation will be denied Nebraska’s contribution to the advancement of medical science.
But right now, think of just one child, growing up in Nebraska today, maybe dreaming of becoming a scientist, to help heal suffering and save lives through medical research.
If this backwards resolution is passed, the only advice I could give to that child would be:
Leave Nebraska.
Folks, there is a lot more I could say, but time is running short. The decision will be made this Friday, in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you have an opinion, voice it now, or forever hold your peace.
Here is how you can be heard.
Below is a short piece I found on the web, from a champion athlete of Nebraska. (Please note that he has no connection with any of my opinions.) I am running it without the pictures, to save space.
Protect Research in Nebraska
I’m Rik Bonness and these are our sons, Eric and Beau.
Both of our sons have Type 1 diabetes. They have lived with tens of thousands of finger pricks, insulin shots and constant worry over signs of retina or nerve damage or kidney failure. We believe someday there will be a cure for diabetes.
As an All-American center at the University of Nebraska, I was expected to give 100% every minute of every game.
And that’s what we need to do here in Nebraska when it comes to research. Stemcell research – including embryonic stem cell research – offers hope to our sons and thousands of Nebraskans who suffer from diabetes, Parkinson’s and other devastating diseases.
For years, it has been the policy of the University of Nebraska to follow the strict, ethical guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health, the federal government and state law. But now the Board of Regents is being pressured to change that policy to ban some of the most promising avenues of research.
Now, I’m asking you to give 100% for Nebraska.
Please go to www.nebraskacures.com and ask your regent to keep the University’s existing research policy.
8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-2461
P.S. Here is a partial list of the supporters of California’s stem cell research initiative: compare it to the list of opponents of H.R. 8.
Coalition Members
A partial list of members. Titles and affiliations are included for identification purposes only.
Disease and Patient Advocacy Organizations
Medical Groups and Hospitals
Nobel Prize Winners
Medical DoctorsFor a more complete list of Medical Doctors
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| Karen Aboody, MD Neuroscientist City of Hope National Medical CenterPaul J. Cimoch, MD, PhD Director Center for Special ImmunologyDenard Fobbs, MD Director/Owner Lifepoint Wellness InstituteSteve Forman, MD Director of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation City of Hope Thomas Freeman, MD Jon M. Greif, DO, FACS Hans Gritch, MD Kevin Kaiserman, MD |
Fran Kaufman, MD Division Head of Endocrinology and Metabolism Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles Past President, American Diabetes AssociationBertram H. Lubin, MD President and Director of Research, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute Co-Director, Northern California Sickle Cell CenterPhyllis Preciado, MD Sequoia Community Health Foundation Fresno Chapter President, CA Latino Medical AssociationJ. Joseph Prendergast, MD President Endocrine Metabolic Center Camillo Ricordi, MD Stuart Siegel, MD Edwin Tasch, MD Raymond Weisberg, MD |
Professors, Researchers and Scientists
For a more complete list of Professors, Researchers and Scientists
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
| Genevieve M. Ames, PhD Professor, Pacific Institute for Research University of California, BerkeleyDavid Anderson, PhD Professor of Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Neuroscience California Institute of TechnologyElizabeth Blackburn, PhD Professor of Biology and Physiology University of California, San Francisco California Scientist of the Year, 1999Jeffrey Bluestone, PhD Director, UCSF Diabetes Center University of California, San Francisco Susan Bryant, PhD Thomas Cesario, MD Dennis Clegg Roy Curry, PhD Kenneth Dorshkind, PhD Caleb E. Finch, PhD Fred Gage, PhD Robert Gish, MD Lawrence Goldstein, PhD Barry Greenberg, MD David A. Greenberg, MD, PhD G. Denman Hammond, MD Clark D. Hinderleider, MD, PhD Edward W. Holmes, MD Lois Jovanovic, MD Henry Klassen, MD, PhD Michael Karin, PhD Hans Kierstead, PhD Gary Kleiman Harley Kornblum, MD, PhD Richard E. Latchaw, MD
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Bertram H. Lubin, MD President, Director of Research Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute Co-Director, Northern CA Sickle Cell Center of OaklandRandall W. Maxey, MD, PhD President National Medical AssociationRichard Murphy, PhD President & CEO Salk InstituteElizabeth Neufeld Professor of Biological Chemistry David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA California Scientist of the Year, 1990 Michael Oldstone Robert Pearlman Renee Reijo Pera, PhD Phil A. Pizzo, MD John C. Reed, MD, PhD Alan Robinson, MD Paul Sanberg, PhD, DSc Judy Shizuru, MD Stuart Siegel, MD Evan Snyder, MD, PhD Oswald Steward, PhD Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD Leon Thal, MD David Thompson, PhD David Warburton, DSc, MD Irving Weissman, MD Phyllis M. Wise, PhD Keith Yamamoto, PhD Jerome A. Zack Mark Zern, MD |
Disease and Patient Advocacy Organization Leaders
| Raymond Barglow Bioethicist & Founder Stem Cell Action NetworkMary Brown President & CEO Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of CaliforniaL. Natalie Carroll, MD Chair, Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural and Minority MedicinePamela Freeman Fobbs, JD President Auxiliary to the National Medical Association Paul Carvey Richard Darling, DDS Elizabeth Benson Forer Thomas Freeman, MD Michael Freidman, MD Maria Fuhrman Thom Gauthier Karen Miner |
Mary Tyler Moore International Chairman, Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationGail Pressberg Chair of Public Affairs Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationDon Reed Founder Californians for CureBill Remak Chairman CA Hepatitis C Task Force Michael Roanhaus Joan Samuelson Kenneth Trevett, JD Carol Walton Raymond Weisberg, MD Nancy Wexler, PhD Geoffrey Williams Ann Winthrop
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Women’s Advocacy Groups and Leaders
For a more complete list of women’s groups and leaders
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IX
American Society for Reproductive Medicine Black Women Organized for Political Action California NOW Catholics for Free Choice Dr. Donnica.com Feminist Majority Foundation
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Hadassah: Women’s Zionist Organization of America
National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) Sapphire Women’s Health Group Westwind Women’s Health Services Women’s Cancer Research Fund Women For: Women for Reform Judaism |
Latino Groups and Organizations
For a more complete list of Latino organizations and leaders
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
| Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement La Raza Lawyers Association |
Latino Business Forum
Latino Coalition for a Healthy California National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations |
African American Groups and Organizations
For a more complete list of African American organizations and leaders
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
| Black Women Organized for Political Action
California Black Chamber of Commerce California NAACP FAME: First AME Church |
Greater LA African American Chamber of Commerce
National Medical Association Operation Hope |
Community Organizations and Leaders
| Ashley’s Diabetes Information Center
Asian American Donor Program Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Black Women Organized for Political Action California Federation of Teachers California NAACP California National Organization for Women Feminist Majority Foundation LA Gay and Lesbian Center Labor Council for Latin American Advancement La Raza Lawyers Association Latino Coalition for a Healthy California LGBT Greens of Los Angeles Lincoln Club of San Diego Methodist Federation for Social Action National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) Rock the Vote Women For: Michael Booher John Bryant
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Delaine Eastin Former Superintendent of Public InstructionCharles Gahn Fire Chief Ocotillo Wells Fire DepartmentJose A. Garcia Executive Director Inquilinos Unidos – United TenantsElizabeth Benson Forer CEO Venice Family Clinic Robert A. Martinez Margie Murray Keda Alcala Obledo Mario Obledo Terry O’Connor Lois Rodriguez Jeff Sheehy Paul Vega Daphna E. Ziman |
Faith Organizations and Leaders
| Catholics for a Free Choice
Congregation Beth Am FAME: First AME Church Hadassah Women of Reform Judaism The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring California Church IMPACT Rabbi Camille Shira Angel Rabbi Raphael Asher Rabbi Michael Berk Rabbi Kenneth Chasen Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff Rabbi Jacqueline Koch Ellenson Rabbi David Ellenson Rabbi Sheila Goloboy Rabbi Alan Henkin Reverend Vern Jones Rabbi Stuart Kelman Rabbi Mordecai Kieffer Rabbi Steven Leder
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Rabbi Michael Lezak Congregation Rodef SholomRabbi Susan Lippe Congregation Beth AmMac McConnel PriestRabbi Janet Marder President, Central Conference of American Rabbis Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth-Am Rabbi Shaldon Marder Rabbi Sydney Mintz Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh Ricki Oleon Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce Rabbi George Schlesinger Rabbi Jacob Traub Jan Tuttleman Rabbi Laura Novak Winer Rabbi Rick Winer Rabbi David Wolpe Rabbi Koch Wolpe Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie Rabbi Josh Zweiback |
Business and Labor Groups and Leaders
| AFSCME: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Alliance of California Taxpayers BIOCOM Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) CA/NV Council of Operating Engineers California Healthcare Institute California Black Chamber of Commerce California Chamber of Commerce Central City Association of Los Angeles Contra Costa Council Greater LA African American Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Latino Business Forum Los Angeles Business Council Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Orange County Business Council Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce San Diego County Taxpayers Association San Francisco Chamber of Commerce San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Tri Valley Business Council
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United Chambers of Commerce
United Farm Workers Valley Industry and Commerce Association West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Steve & Lisa Altman Steven Burrill Brook Byers John Doerr Lucy Fisher Michael Goldberg Steven Krausz Herbert & Marion Sandler George Shultz Richard Ziman
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Political Organizations and Leaders
| Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Berkeley Democratic Club Black Women Organized for Political Action California Democratic Party California National Organization for Women Culver City Democratic Club Democratic Alliance for Action Democratic Club of the High Desert Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley Feminist Majority Foundation FDR Democratic Club Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club Hayward Democratic Club Irish American Democratic Club, San Francisco LA County Democratic Central Committee La Morinda Democratic Club LGBT Greens of Los Angeles Los Angeles County Democratic Party |
Los Angeles County Young Democrats
Noe Valley Democratic Club Placer County Democratic Central Committee Richmond District Democratic Club Rock the Vote San Diego County Democratic Committee San Fernando County Young Democrats San Joaquin Valley Democratic Club Santa Barbara Democratic League Santa Clara County Democratic Party Santa Clara Democratic Party Seal Beach/Leisure World Democratic Club Stonewall Democrats Visalia Democratic Club Margie Murray Jim Wachob |
California Elected Officials and Governmental Organizations
Statewide Constitutional Officers
| Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State of CaliforniaLt. Governor Cruz Bustamante State of CaliforniaController Steve Westly State of CaliforniaAttorney General Bill Lockyer State of California |
Treasurer Phil Angelides State of CaliforniaSecretary of State Kevin Shelly State of CaliforniaInsurance Commissioner John Garamendi State of California |
Federal Officeholders
| President Jimmy Carter United States of AmericaUnited States Senator Barbara Boxer State of CaliforniaUnited States Dianne Feinstein State of CaliforniaCongressman Xavier Becerra US House of Representatives 31st District of California Congressman Howard Berman Congresswoman Lois Capps Congressman Dennis Cardoza Congresswoman Susan Davis Congressman Cal Dooley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo Congressman Sam Farr Congressman Bob Filner Congresswoman Jane Harman Congressman Tom Lantos Congresswoman Barbara Lee
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Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren US House of Representatives 16th District of CaliforniaCongresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald US House of Representatives 37th District of CaliforniaCongressman George Miller US House of Representatives 7th District of CaliforniaCongresswoman Grace Napolitano US House of Representatives 38th District of California Congressman Doug Ose Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez Congresswoman Hilda Solis Congressman Fortney Pete Stark Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher Congressman Mike Thompson Congresswoman Diane Watson Congressman Henry Waxman Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey |
State Legislators
| Senator Richard Alarcon State Senator, 20th Senatorial DistrictElaine Alquist Candidate for State Senator, District 13Assemblywoman Patty Berg 1st Assembly District of CaliforniaAssemblyman Rudy Bermudez 56th Assembly District of California Senator John Burton Senator Gilbert Cedillo Assemblyman Ed Chavez Senator Wesley Chesbro Assemblywoman Judy Chu Assemblyman Rebecca Cohn Assemblywoman Ellen M. Corbett Jim Costa Assemblyman John A. Dutra Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny Assemblyman Mervyn M. Dymally Senator Martha Escutia Senator Liz Figueroa Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson Assemblymember Christine Kehoe Senator Sheila Kuehl Assemblyman John Laird Assemblyman Mark Leno Assemblywoman Sally Lieber |
Assemblyman Alan Lowenthal 54th Assembly District of CaliforniaSenator Michael Machado State Senator, 25th Senatorial DistrictCarole Migden Chairwoman, California State Board of EqualizationAssemblywoman Cindy Montanez 39th Assembly District of California Assemblywoman Gene Mullin Assemblyman George Nakano Assemblyman Joe Nation Fabian Nunez Senator Deborah Ortiz Senator Don Perata Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes Senator Gloria Romero Assemblyman Simon Salinas Senator Jack Scott Senator Byron Sher David Silva Assemblyman Joe Simitian Senator Nell Soto Senator Jackie Speier Assemblyman Darrel Steinberg Senator Tom Torlakson Herb Wesson Assemblywoman Patricia Wiggins Assemblywoman Lois Wolk |
Local Officeholders and Municipalities
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| Alameda County Board of Supervisors
City of Capitola City of Carson Los Angeles City Council Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors City of Malibu Marin County Board of Supervisors City of Oakland City of Orange Cove San Francisco Board of Supervisors Santa Barbara City Council Santa Clara Board of Supervisors West Hollywood City Council Mayor Larry Agran Mayor Paul Albritton Mayor Irma Anderson Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins Mayor Tom Bates County Supervisor Hal C. Brown County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke Mayor Anna Caballero Supervisor Marita Callaway County Supervisor Keith Carson Council Member Allen Co Mayor James Dear Supervisor Roger Dickinson Supervisor Bevan Dufty Mayor John Duran Council Member Charles England Council Member Mike Garcia Council Member Maggie Gomez Council Member Joseph Gonzales Council Member Josie Gonzales Mayor Ron Gonzales Council Member Wendy Greuel Mayor James Hahn Mayor Harvey Hall Council Member Mike Harris Council Member Olden Henson
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Sandra Hernandez Former Director of Health City/County San FranciscoCouncil Member Emily Ishigaki City of El MonteMayor Marshall Kamena City of LivermoreCouncil Member Judy Kleinberg City of Palo Alto County Supervisor Liz Kniss Council Member Patrick Kolstad County Supervisor Gary Lewis Council Member Tom Long Council Member Susan Lien Longville Mayor Victor Lopez Mayor Art Madrid Council Member Thomas Malson Council Member Tony Mendoza Mayor Dick Murphy County Supervisor Mike Nevin Mayor Gavin Newsom Council Member Dan Nguyen-Tan Council Member Alex Padilla Council Member Bernard Parks County Supervisor Peter Parra Council Member Henry T. Perea Mayor Tom Pico Council Member Jeffrey Prang Mayor Miguel Pulido Council Member Deborah Robertson Council Member Sam Salmon Council Member Pete Sanchez Council Member Margaret J. Smith Council Member John M. Solis County Supervisor Gail Steele Council Member Doug Stern Council Member Steve Tate City Councilman Jack Weiss County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky |
Senior Advocacy Organizations
| Congress of California Seniors
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Gray Panthers, California
Seniors Allied for Biomedical Research
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