A bill that represents a compromise between supporters and opponents of embryonic stem cell research was signed into law on Tuesday by Gov. Dave Heineman.
The governor signed the bill — LB 606 — shortly after 48 of 49 state senators voted to approve it. The law took effect immediately.
In relation to research involving human embryonic stem cell lines, the new law:
- Allows UNMC to do research with public and private funding on human embryonic stem cell lines as long as the cell lines were developed elsewhere; and
- Allows UNMC to do research with public and private funding on SCNT lines as long as the lines were developed elsewhere.
The law does not:
- Alter the Board of Regents’ policy that allows UNMC scientists to use only federally approved stem-cell lines;
- Affect the Board of Regents’ policy that prohibits University of Nebraska scientists from conducting research using stem cell lines produced through SCNT;
- Restrict human embryonic stem cell line creation or research done using private money and private facilities; and
- Restrict SCNT cell line creation or research done using private money and private facilities.
As part of the compromise behind the new law, key opponents and supporters of embryonic stem cell research have agreed to refrain from pursuing further legislation concerning the issue unless:
1) Private sector activity in Nebraska … destroys an embryo for research or creates an embryo through somatic cell nuclear transfer for any purpose;
2) Research is undertaken in the state that presents ethical considerations not contemplated at this time; or
3) Researchers begin doing work that would be in violation of LB 606.
The law also encourages scientists to consider research using non-embryonic stem cells. Up to $500,000 in state tobacco settlement funds will be set aside as matching funds each year for non-embryonic stem cell research projects with no single Nebraska institution being able to receive more than 70 percent of the funds.
Grants will be awarded by the Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, a six-member body composed of the deans of the UNMC and Creighton University medical schools as well as four scientists outside of Nebraska. The outside scientists would be nominated by each of the medical schools.
Information regarding these funds for non-embryonic stem cell research will be published in UNMC Today as it becomes available.