Earlier this month, Gov. Jim Doyle held a politically charged press conference showcasing leaders in stem cell research from Wisconsin and the United Kingdom.
The two groups look to combine resources and work collaboratively to develop stem cell research to its full potential.
Embryonic stem cells, which were first isolated by UW-Madison researchers, hold the promise of curing a number of debilitating diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
During the event Doyle praised Britain's stem cell work and chastised U.S. officials for creating a less than hospitable environment for researching stem cells in Wisconsin.
President Bush has been an adamant opponent of embryonic stem cell research despite its acceptance in the American mainstream.
Bush proved he represented the radical religious right in the United States when he used the first veto of his administration to nix Republican-sponsored legislation last year that would have allowed federal funding for stem cell research.
While Wisconsin stem cell researchers have been forced to await change in leadership, researchers in Britain have made progress and could soon outshine those who helped develop the research in Madison.
The conservative policies of a handful of politicians in Washington are allowing other countries to catch up to the geniuses in Wisconsin who first saw potential in embryonic stem cells.
Nonetheless, this collaboration should benefit everyone. Combining good, old-fashioned American know-how with the less restrictive environment in the U.K. will bring stem cell researchers closer to finding cures that could save millions of lives worldwide.
But the United States could also learn from its neighbors across the pond. The U.K. has set rules governing stem cells that allow research but also respect the controversy surrounding the use of embryos and cloning.
For instance, U.K. researchers must obtain a license and prove their work will advance science before they are allowed to create embryos for research.
Let's just hope the United States and Wisconsin can get their acts together soon. Wisconsin is already in danger of losing some of its researchers to other states that provide more funding for stem cell research.
If we are not careful, some of Madison's world-renowned scientists might give up their bratwurst and cheese curds for some fish and chips.
