A top official from a U.S. embryonic stem cell company said contrary to messages coming out of the presidential race his firm lacks adequate funding.
Dr. Robert Lanza, vice president of medical and scientific development at Advanced Cell Technology, told UPI the company's finances have been so low in recent years that it often could not afford basic office supplies and scientific equipment. ACT is focused on developing medical therapies derived from stem cells in the hopes that they could one day treat or cure diseases.
President Bush is wary of the research because it requires the destruction of a human embryo. His stem cell policy limits federal funding to 78 approved cell lines, of which only about 20 are available. Democratic candidate John Kerry has pledged to lift the restrictions if he is elected president.
Lanza said he is surprised by one of the messages to emerge from the presidential campaign that stem cell companies are awash with money from private investors. Due to a dearth of funding, ACT has been unable to follow up on promising results in animals and carry out experiments that could lead to life-saving therapies for humans, he said.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
