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Posted on Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.

U-M develops new stem cell line as Legislature threatens to withhold funding

By Kellie Woodhouse

The University of Michigan may be in the midst of a battle with state GOP lawmakers over its controversial embryonic stem cell research, but that's not stopping the university from strengthening its stem cell research portfolio.

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A University of Michigan researcher conducts embryonic stem cell research.

The school recently placed its second embryonic stem cell line on the National Institutes of Health's nationwide stem cell registry. U-M's new addition to the list further solidifies the school's position as a major player in stem cell research and allows government-backed researchers to use the line in research.

It's also likely to add tension to a battle brewing in Lansing between the Republican lawmakers that decide U-M's budget and university administrators who have declined to tell the Legislature exactly how many human embryos are used during research. Legislators requested that U-M disclose how many embryos it uses more than a year ago but the 50-plus page report university president Mary Sue Coleman turned over to lawmakers in December did not include the exact number of embryos used.

State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, a member of the subcommittee that decides how funds are doled out to universities, recently accused U-M of thumbing its nose at the legislature.

Legislators have threatened to withhold up to $7 million in performance funding from U-M if administrators do not fully disclose how many embryos U-M uses.

Coleman says it's unlikely the school will disclose that information.

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Mary Sue Coleman

"Even though we were asked specific questions we don’t collect the data in this way and we think that focus on these issues, these specific little issues, were trivializing the complexity" of stem cell research, Coleman said recently. "I want to continue to put this in context.... We are doing this according to the strict regulations of the federal government."

Meanwhile, U-M researchers are optimistic their new stem cell line will be instrumental in developing a cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a debilitating neurological disorder that causes foot, leg and hand muscles to degenerate early in life.

The new line was derived from a 5-day-old embryo the size of a period. That embryo was created for reproductive purposes, tested and found to be affected with the genetic disorder, deemed not suitable for implantation, and would therefore have otherwise been discarded when it was donated in 2011. According to U-M Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders and affects one in 2,500 people in the United States.

Said co-director of the U-M Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies Gary Smith: "Once again, the acceptance of these cells to the registry demonstrates our attention to details of proper oversight, consenting, and following of NIH guidelines."

U-M has several other disease-specific lines submitted to NIH and awaiting approval. The school's first embryonic stem cell line was accepted to the registry in February.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.

Comments

lefty48197

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.

How ironic that Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan could exist in a state where so many in the government are so anti-education and anti-science.

clownfish

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.

If they are going to pass this type of legislation they also need to put more restrictions on fertilization clinics so that they are required to either limit the number of eggs fertilized to only those implanted, or force them to keep all embryos in stasis FOREVER until implanted. Let us see how that flies with the public.

clownfish

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.

"The Legislature's top priority is to improve Michigan's economy, so we have a duty to consider any proposal that would potentially create more jobs," Ouimet said . (from article about rescinding the business property tax). Ooops, I guess they are open to anything that fits their existing ideology, but not open to science based job growth that may also save lives.

Hammer

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : noon

What will we do if some crackpot scientist clones a child?

Dog Guy

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.

Hammer asked, "What will we do if some crackpot scientist clones a child?" The scientist will certainly clone himself and apply for a study grant to maintain the child against the possibility that the scientist will need an organ transplant.

Macabre Sunset

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.

Hopefully get the child into a good adoptive home. I don't see, though, the relationship between stem-cell research, which is designed to unlock the secrets of our own body's ability to heal itself, and creating a cartoon army of children of the corn. While we've all read Kazuo Ishiguro's mad scientist porn, it's not reality-based in the slightest. There is no educational or financial incentive to cloning children.

alan

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.

I was a bit surprised to read in this article that fundamental biomedical research is controversial.

TommyJ

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.

Hooray for UofM. Still pursuing embryonic stem cell research when the rest of the world is making advances with adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells almost daily. While embryonic stem cells have NEVER created a treatment or cure for anything, adult and ips stem cell research are curing and helping people now. Yet UofM and the culture of death continue to pursue this waste of $$. Good for the legislature. I hope they shut down all funding to UofM for the unethical and wasteful research they pursue. Even the man that created the embryonic stem cell process has given up that research, almost 4 years ago. Shame on UofM.

ChrisW

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.

This is nothing but a right-wing attempt at circumventing The Michigan Stem Cell Amendment, Proposal 2, passed by popular vote in 2008. It's not much different than Attorney General Bill Shuette's complete disregard for the Michigan Medicinal Marijuana Initiative passed that same year. As a former Milliken Republican, I am ashamed at the current Republican Party's complete and utter contempt for the will of the voters.

julieswhimsies

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.

Stem cell research is imperative. The research is so promising on so many different levels. We need to keep the funding going, and allow our research to continue to work on finding the cures for illnesses too numerous to mention. This is critical work. Keep it up, U of M.

drew_blows

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.

Why exaxtly does Lansing need this info? I am guessing there really isnt a good need other than to try and exert some pseudo-control over the process. Hope UM keeps on telling them to take a long walk off a short bridge. I see a phone call to Rep Kevin Cotter office in my future telling him to stand down. Call his office at (517)373-1789 if you wanna tell him what you think. Or email him at KevinCotter@house.mi.gov.

julieswhimsies

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 11:16 p.m.

Huh?

bigbluebus

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.

No one has any problem with a state-funded university refusing to even provide information in response to a legislative request? Bet you would if it wasn't one of your pet projects. No one has any concern for the risk of embryo harvesting becoming big business? No one cares to address the progress adult stem cell research has made (which far exceeds that of embryonic stem cell research)?

alan

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.

Nope.

leaguebus

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.

And we shall legislate that the Earth is the center of the universe and it shall be so. Time to sign the recall Rickster petition, then when it's time for a recall election, hundreds of bills will be passed and be in force even if the governor loses the election. Time to turn the rascals out, lock, stock, and barrel.

Dog Guy

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.

Dear legislature, you stand for re-election but we have tenure. Nya nya nya nyaaaaa nya!

oldguy

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.

Kudos to the U of M for the advances the`re making in this important field. Boo, hiss to Rep Cotter for trying anything he can to interfere with this science. What difference can it possibly make how many embyros it takes, and what would he do with the infformation if he had it ? Just another Fundy who thinks an embryo is a full grown human being. If it is, then a Egg McMuffin is a chicken sandwich.

bobslowson

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.

Good for U of M!