Demons, Disease and Stem Cells

Nobel Prize winner Paul Berg says that social conservatives are "actively demonizing" some scientists for stem cell research and other work that offends the critics' sensibilities.

Berg, a Stanford University professor who serves as an alternate member on the California stem cell Oversight Committee, made the comment in a speech at a major stem cell conference in San Francisco earlier this week.

Berg said,

"Perhaps for the first time, the threat looms that certain lines of biomedical research could be forbidden, indeed, criminalized. Currently, legislation passed several times in the House and pending in the Senate threatens criminal penalties of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for using a procedure that involves cloning a patient’s genetic information in the form of embryonic stem cells. Never mind that this procedure is intended solely for creating a deeper knowledge of the genetic and cellular roots of disease; and, that the procedure is presently the only means for creating patient-specific embryonic stem cells for the treatment of several debilitating ailments. Even more ludicrous, are the same criminal penalties for providing or receiving any therapy if the development of that therapy involved the nuclear transfer technology. Consider the arrogance of withholding possibly life-saving aid from the American public because some members of the Congress are offended by the technology!"

He continued:

"I am concerned that the quality of the science may no longer be the sole or principal determinant in whether a particular line of research would be permitted; rather, theological and ideological pronouncements parading as fundamental ethical and moral values may increasingly take over. Vocal and organized minorities through their political representatives could become a prominent force in defining the boundaries and even the permissibility of scientific research."

Berg said,

"Presently, social conservatives are actively demonizing scientists conducting research on AIDS, reproductive technologies and fetal and embryo development. The call by social conservatives to limit certain lines of inquiry, as now exists for human embryo research, has been to restrict federal funding for the 'offensive' activity."

Berg also suggested that research is entitled to protection under the First Amendment and discussed legal arguments that support that position. He said,

"Abridging (the) implicit right to unfettered inquiry because it offends someone’s religious beliefs or ethical views is in my view no more justifiable than prohibiting press investigations that offend certain constituencies."

Berg spoke at The Stem Cell Meeting in San Francisco on Monday.