Pentagon Bankrolls Swedish Stem Cell Study

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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/471975?mpid=26198

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) Mar 17 - The Pentagon has granted $240,000 to a Swedish

team for embryonic stem-cell research linked to Parkinson's disease, the

researchers said on Wednesday, despite U.S. government limits on stem-cell

research.

In a statement, Lund University in southern Sweden said the U.S. Department

of Defense was supporting the Swedish Parkinson's study because the findings

could be used to treat similar neurological illnesses caused by battlefield

toxins.

The Swedish research, using human embryonic stem cells, will focus on ways

to prompt the cells to develop into the type of nerve cells deficient in the

brains of patients with Parkinson's disease. The disease causes tremors,

muscle rigidity and slow movement and is currently incurable.

" The goal is to develop a line of human embryonic stem cells, which can be

transplanted to test animals with a disease resembling Parkinson's, " said

Patrik Brundin, the research team leader.

Stem cells are a type of master cell. Embryonic stem cells, or blastocysts,

can be directed to develop into any type of cell or tissue when grown

correctly.

U.S. President W. Bush has forbidden the use of federal funds to

manipulate or create human embryos for research and limited scientific

research to a few existing batches of cells taken from fertility clinic

leftovers.

Opponents, including Bush, say any use of a human embryo amounts to murder

and is unethical. Critics are pushing for legislation in the United States

that would outlaw the practice completely.

Brundin's team sought research funding from the J. Fox Foundation,

founded by the American actor who has Parkinson's disease. The foundation

forwarded the application to the Pentagon, Lund University said.