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LINCOLN — A legislative compromise last year does not bar abortion opponents from asking the University of Nebraska Board of Regents to modify its policy on embryonic stem cell research, say three lawmakers who brokered the deal.
University officials have said the measure, Legislative Bill 606, allows NU scientists to expand their research when new lines of embryonic stem cells are approved by the Obama administration.
Nebraska Right to Life and other abortion opponents have urged the regents to modify that policy. Four regents said Thursday that they would introduce a resolution at the Nov. 20 board meeting to limit the research to pre-existing stem cell lines approved under the Bush administration.
Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, asked lawmakers to clarify the legislation because, she said, she and other abortion opponents have been criticized for asking the regents to reconsider the research policy.
“Our opponents have been touting the agreement with LB 606 as the definitive statement on unethical research policy in the state,” she said, adding “we have been saying all along that LB 606 did not settle the policy of the Board of Regents.”
Legislative Speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk, along with State Sens. Brad Ashford and Steve Lathrop of Omaha, said they don’t believe the legislation prohibits the issue from being raised with the regents.
The law bars state funds and facilities from being used to clone embryos and requires NU researchers to follow federal guidelines, which at the time limited the research to the Bush stem-cell lines.
Regents Chairman Kent Schroeder of Kearney said Thursday that LB 606 affirmed continued human embryonic stem cell research at NU, even under expanded federal guidelines.
Sanford Goodman, president of the pro-research group Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, said research supporters agree that the law does not prevent the Board of Regents from changing its policy, nor does it prohibit research opponents from lobbying the regents.
“Those are really subsidiary issues,” he said. “The real issue is what is the right thing to do for the University of Nebraska.’’
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