LAT: Bush stem cell policy creates "logistical nightmare" for scientists

[DeepModem Mom]

Stem Cell Limits Have Scientists Seeing Double
Bush's policy to restrict federal funds to certain embryonic lines creates a dual lab system that puts U.S. researchers at a disadvantage, critics say.
By Karen Kaplan and Erin Cline, Times Staff Writers
August 9, 2006

....Bush's embryonic stem cell policy, which now restricts federal support to research involving about 20 cell lines, has created a logistical nightmare for science.

Researchers who study both federally approved and unapproved stem cells have had to buy duplicate equipment to conduct their experiments, then set up elaborate systems to keep their work completely separate.

Some scientists say the cumbersome dual system — reaffirmed last month when Bush vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have expanded funding to more than 100 newer cell lines — puts U.S. researchers at a disadvantage.

"This is a bunch of compliance red tape that is a real pain in the neck," said Dr. John Boockvar, who heads Cornell University's Neurosurgery Laboratory for Translational Stem Cell Research. "It's hard enough to do successful research without having to worry about all this stuff."

So far, federal funding agencies have yet to redress anyone for violating their rules. But the fear that they would is palpable, because universities rely on the federal government for nearly two-thirds of their overall research budgets....

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-stemcells9aug09,0,4264656.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[kurth]

1. Kinda like a Kosher certification program for science?

Bush-approved vs. Non Bush-approved. Incredible lunacy.