NU Regents to vote on embryonic cell research

The University of Nebraska's embryonic stem cell research debate will boil down to a single vote by the NU Board of Regents during its Friday meeting.

Today at 10 a.m., the board will meet at Varner Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus. The meeting's agenda – the shortest this year – includes only four items: consideration of a master plan for Innovation Campus, a state budget report, public comment on embryonic stem cell research and action on NU's embryonic stem cell research policy. 

"It'll certainly be an interesting meeting," Regent Chuck Hassebrook said. "The big matter will be stem cell research."

Dozens of supporters and opponents of the research testified during the board's Oct. 23 meeting; however, no decision was made. 

Last week, four of the board's pro-life regents co-authored a resolution to restrict stem cell research at NU to cell lines approved under former President George W. Bush, which do not include embryonic cells.

The regents involved in drafting the resolution include: Tim Clare, Bob Phares, Randy Ferlic and Howard Hawks.

All have received support from Nebraska Right to Life. The fifth pro-life regent, also endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life, Jim McClurg, did not help draft the proposal. 

The resolution requires at least five votes to pass.

If the resolution fails, current policy will stand. During the October meeting, NU President J.B. Milliken voiced his support of embryonic stem cell research, saying, "Embryonic stem cell research holds enormous promise, and if the University of Nebraska is to be a leading research university, it should be appropriately engaged in this research."

Phares, who helped draft the resolution, said he respects Milliken's suggestions but cannot support embryonic research. 

"It's a matter of trying to determine what's ethical and what's proper in going forward," Phares said. "It's a very emotional issue. I just cannot, in my own good conscience, support research that involves the destruction of embryos."

One regent who will be voting against the resolution is Hassebrook, who is a supporter of embryonic stem cell research. 

"I believe (embryonic stem cell research) is right because it has the potential to save millions of lives and cure diseases," Hassebrook said. "It will not take one life. It will cause the life of not one embryo to be lost."

Current Nebraska law prevents the university from destroying or creating embryos for research. Stem cells acquired for research by the University of Nebraska Medical Center come from left over embryos at fertility treatment clinics, which would otherwise be thrown out. 

While the vote could go either way on the resolution, regents on both sides of the issue understand the importance of respect. 

"This is a board that has a very collegial spirit," Phares said. "I think we respect each other and the right of people to disagree. I consider those that I know will vote differently, and I have no less respect. "

Hassebrook said the board will push forward after the vote and continue working together to create a better university. 

"It's important for us to vote on the issue, and however it comes out, we'll move on," Hassebrook said. "We'll pull together after the vote." 

Other issues on the agenda include consideration of a master plan for Innovation Campus and a state budget report. 

"It'll be exactly what we anticipated," Phares said in regards to the budget report. "I think we're expecting 1.8 percent decrease of funds for the next fiscal year.

"It's not something we're unprepared for."
CourtneyPitts@dailynebraskan.com