Stem Cell Research

Can focus and compromise keep the U.S. a player in the emerging Stem Cell industry?

You can't become aware of Stem Cell research without reading about the ongoing debate surrounding the political and ethical issues associated with the acquisition of pre-natal stem cells. U.S. researchers are faced with declining financial support coming not only from a challenged economy, but a conservative political climate. Recognized personalities from business, entertainment and politics have joined the debate on both sides of the issue while the White House compromise deftly lands somewhere in the middle. Meanwhile we are presented with the practical reality that the United States is losing its momentum as a research and business leader in the worldwide development of the Stem Cell industry.

Can the practical research needs of the present be met while allowing time for the much-needed public debate? The current political solution is inadequate. Researchers in the U.S. are at a considerable disadvantage because publicly-funded research is restricted to existing stem cell lines. When President George W. Bush announced his position on stem cell research in August of 2001, there was thought to be 60 existing cell lines available for federal approval. Today, there are less than 12, many of which may be unusable for certain kinds of research.

Many U.S. scientists are also concerned that private corporations own and control many of the existing stem cell supplies. Effectively, in the U.S a small number of companies exert significant leverage in determining the reach of federally-funded research by controlling the supply and distribution of "sanctioned" stem cell lines. Contrast this with the research environment in England where new cells are widely available.

The result is a restricted research and business climate where the best and brightest are being persuaded to leave the U. S. to continue their research careers and build companies elsewhere.

Until the public debate can reach a consensus that promotes public funding for all forms of promising Stem Cell research, one approach is obvious: private philanthropic funding.

Private funding for less controversial infrastructure and facilities associated with stem cell research is on the rise. Funding the operational aspects in support of a wide range of research is a natural opportunity for individuals with success in the business sector to apply their acumen and business connections in support of this very promising research. Helping establish the operational support meets a fundamental and ongoing requirement to moving the promising basic research from the lab to the bedside.

I recently donated a grant to the Stem Cell Biology Program at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) focused on providing an FDA approved "Core Research Facility." This facility is a key component in translating the laboratory advancements made in stem cell research into therapeutic applications. My contribution is targeted to move the FDA Approved facility into operational self-sufficiency within the year and represents an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy that mixes in business sensibilities to achieve a kind of "philanthropic ROI".

The stem cell research being conducted at UCSF is producing breakthroughs with tremendous potential for practical therapeutic applications. The most responsible kind of philanthropy we can provide is to help fund the support and translation facilities that will speed the most promising breakthroughs from the laboratory bench into clinical human trials.

The industry is in a delicate position. Clearly, the body of basic research indicates the tremendous therapeutic, and hence, economic potential. Just as clearly, exclusively relying on public funding will delay and in some cases even prevent our capitalization on the opportunity. Responsible, private funding moves faster and, in a significant way, may be more valuable to the growth of the industry. By funding an academic environment that promotes open, peer reviewed research while at the same time, connecting the most talented researchers to members of the business community, we promote an efficient academic/business model to move the most promising fundamental research from the bench to the bedside.

As the debate continues, one thing is certain: we must support the best and brightest minds in the stem cell industry and work to keep their research here moving forward in the development of real, therapeutic applications. If we miss the opportunity, scientists say, the U.S. could lose out on some of the most important future advances in modern medicine.