"There is valid research to be done on cord blood cells, as well as adult stem cells,(but)unfortunately, those who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research -- largely because of their views on abortion -- have rallied around these bills, like the cord blood cell bill, as if it is an alternative to embryonic stem cell research, Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, told United Press International. However, "It is not," he argued. "Embryonic stem cells are more pluropotent. That is, they have the potential to become any cell in the body. They are extraordinarily important for medical research," Greenwood maintained.

He added that some of the group's members have made some inroads with embryonic research, but said most feel it remains risky business for their financial bottom lines.

"A handful of our members are involved in embryonic stem cell research,(but) most of our companies are involved in other aspects of biotechnology, embryonic stem cell research is just a part of it. But given the federal limitations on spending, it's not surprising that investors don't want to put a lot of money into something that they worry may be illegal," he said.

Greenwood noted that about six BIO member companies specialize in cord blood cell-based technology.

Although the Bush Administration has tried to finesse the politically-charged issue by making a number of existing embryonic stem cell lines available for research, industry officials say that those lines fall far short of what is needed for viable studies.

"There are only about 20 stem cell lines that are really useable. In fact, what you want is to have a vast array of embryonic stem cells that can have specific traits assigned to them or engineered into them to facilitate the research" Greenwood said. "It's not really a question of, is the number of stem cell lines in the 20s or in the 60s; it's really (a question of) shouldn't it be in the 100s and 100s in order for us to really have a robust shot at curing some of these diseases?" he said.

California in late 2004 took matters into its own hands, with voters there approving a measure to apply $3 billion in state funds over the next decade to support embryonic stem cell research, creating the largest state-supported scientific research program in U.S. history.

But Greenwood said it's premature to celebrate what could be a major reprieve for the struggling technology.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm about participating in that program, but of course, its been held up by stops and starts in the court battles," he said. "It's just that the process of divvying up the money has been delayed by challenges in the court."

An analyst with industry research firm Decision Resources agreed that cord blood cell research is promising, but is still no replacement for stem cells harvested from human embryos. "You can isolate stem cells from cord blood, they exist in tiny amounts, she said, "but the trick is to try to take those stem cells and make larger amounts."

So from a political standpoint, what is the prognosis for embryonic stem cell research, which many patients with debilitating conditions like Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries view as the last best hope to return them to normalcy?

"Its probably going to take a presidential election," said BIO's Greenwood. "I don't expect that President Bush is going to change his position on this. We worked hard to pass a bill in the House on embryonic stem cell research and we'll work hard to pass it in the Senate, but I would anticipate a presidential veto," he said

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