Editorial - 16-4

Dr Ronald Worton knows his way around stem cell research. The esteemed research executive and scientist wears many hats, among them scientific director of the Stem Cell Network, a new Network of Centres of Excellence. So when Worton embraces the new CIHR guidelines on embryonic stem cell (ESC) research — as he did most recently in a newspaper editorial — interested parties would do well to listen carefully, regardless of their political or moral persuasion.

The partisan attacks on the CIHR guidelines (see lead story) are both ill-considered and verging on contemptible. By denouncing the current practice of one of the most exciting and potentially significant emerging areas of research, critics are resorting to cheap shots and dubious moral stands that potentially threaten the lives and healthy living of untold millions.

Reason will likely prevail in the debate over ESCs, and their use will decline over time as researchers learn more about adult stem cells. Worton is dead on when he argues that both types must be used for research at least until we discover why they behave differently.

As the moral/ethical debate plays itself out, it is being paralleled by an another disturbing development. CIHR president Dr Alan Bernstein is being hauled before the House of Commons health committee to answer charges that CIHR’s ESC guidelines usurp the role of Parliament, which has yet to enact legislation. The charges are ludicrous and should be treated as such.

Let the research proceed and quickly enact legislation that supports the search for new cures.

Mark Henderson, Managing Editor