By VANESSA RENÉE CASAVANT
Mon, Mar 7, 2005

Gazette staff writer

New York’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are facing fierce competition because of embryonic stem cell research legislation in other states.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, introduced legislation last Tuesday that would help New York remain competitive in these industries.

The reproductive cloning prohibition and research protection act would create the New York State Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine. The institute would be funded through a new health care reform act and allocate $1 million to it this year. The amount of funding is expected to grow to $2 million during the second year.

A report released by state Comptroller Alan Hevesi last week showed the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries of New York employed more than 54,000 people in 2003 and generated more than $18 billion in economic activity. The report also noted that supporting growth in these industries could create more than 7,000 jobs over seven years. These new jobs would be predominantly in the manufacturing industries and could bolster the economies of Albany, Buffalo and Rochester according to a press release from Silver’s office.

“This legislation would put New York where it belongs ... in the forefront,” said Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, D,L,WF-Manhattan, regarding making advancements in stem cell research.

While allowing therapeutic cloning for research purposes, the bill would ban all forms of reproductive cloning. It defines reproductive cloning as the creation of a human embryo through somatic cell nuclear transfer for the purpose of gestating or birthing a human being. SCNT replaces the nucleus of an unfertilized egg with the nucleus of a person’s body tissue such as a hair follicle or an internal organ.

“Reproductive cloning holds many ethical and moral taboos. It is a practice we want to ensure does not take place in New York State,” Silver said in a press release. “However, stem cell research is a valuable tool for scientists in the quest to solve the mysteries of some of our most terrible illnesses.”

This is the third year in a row Silver introduced legislation to fund stem cell research. While it passed through the Assembly each year, it has stalled in the Senate.

“We need Sen. Joseph Bruno and especially Sen. Kemp Hannon, the leader of the health committee, to also get the courage as these men and women have and support a companion bill,” said Mike Di Scipio, a former Albany County correctional officer. Di Scipio was paralyzed from the neck down six years ago in a diving accident.

Two senators proposed stem cell research legislation last session. State Sen. Liz Krueger, D,WF,G-Manhattan, saw her bill referred to the health committee on April 19, 2004, and state Sen. Nicholas A. Spano, R,C,I-Westchester, saw his bill referred to the rules committee on June 16.

Krueger reintroduced her bill on Jan. 14 and Spano announced last Tuesday that he will be sponsoring another bill this session. He made his announcement at a stem cell research rally sponsored by the New Yorkers for the Advancement of Medical Research and said five other Republican Senators will be co-sponsoring the bill.

“We are asleep at the switch in New York State,” Spano said, “because we are entangled in a debate on issues that shouldn’t be a part of this. ... This isn’t about abortion, this issue is about saving lives.”

Silver, who also spoke at the rally said, “Let us follow doctors, not doctrines.”