Although UW-Madison has long been a forerunner of stem cell research, the university received what could be its greatest distinction in the field yet by landing a contract for the nation's first and only stem cell bank.
The four-year National Institute of Health contract, worth $16.1 million, will enable UW-Madison's WiCell Institute to concentrate the nation's supply of embryonic stem cells for distribution to other research centers.
\It's quite an honor to have this bank established,"" UW-Madison professor Ei Terasawa-Grilley said. ""The University of Wisconsin is a pioneer.""
Currently, the nation's embryonic stem cell supply is scattered throughout the country. In 2001, President Bush capped the number of stem cell lines eligible for federal funding at 22. UW-Madison is home to five of the lines, while facilities in Georgia and California control the rest.
Universities without sufficient private backing, however, are forced to ask schools like UW-Madison for access to the highly-desirable embryonic cells. The bank makes it easier for such universities to get access the cells.
""The people who do not make stem cells, but want to use them, can get them from this bank,"" Terasawa-Grilley said.
Besides helping such schools, a stem-cell bank could help researchers as well. A central stem-cell distribution agency ""frees up the scientists to do the science and get out of the business of being suppliers,"" UW-Madison bioethics professor Alta Charo told The Associated Press.
However, the supplying stem cells will not likely draw in much direct profit to the university, according to Terasawa-Grilley.
""The price is very, very little. Essentially, it's more for convenience, so for the scientists [the stem-cell supply is] much more accessible,"" Terasawa-Grilley said.
Despite the local research community's ready acceptance of a UW-Madison stem-cell bank, not all in the state have been as eager to embrace stem cell research. The bank comes in the aftermath of a Republican-sponsored state law banning human and therapeutic cloning. Gov. Jim Doyle says he promises to veto the bill.
Nevertheless, Carol Skorupan, chair of the Republican Party of Dane County, said she doubted the county or the state party would take a public stance against the bank.
""There are a large number of us, like Nancy Reagan and the former governor and head of human services Tommy Thompson, as well as myself, who believe the research doesn't violate pro-life principles,"" she said. ""It's an issue that divides the party, I think, in many respects. Personally, I think it's great news for the UW and for the state, and its economy,"" she said.
Specifics regarding the stem-cell bank will be released by the governor at a press conference today.
