Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Stem Cell Research at a Snail's Pace

Aired August 09, 2002 - 05:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: One year ago, President Bush made his historic announcement about stem cell research, remember that? He restricted the use of federal research funds to a limited number of embryonic stem cell lines.

CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen talks to one man who says the president is standing in the way of a cure to his devastating disease.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Stephen Wakefield used to ski, he used to run marathons, but not anymore. Six years ago he was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder similar to Lou Gehrig's Disease. There is no cure, and it will only get worse. At first he was devastated, but then he heard about embryonic stem cells.

STEPHEN WAKEFIELD, NEUROMUSCULAR PATIENT: I asked you know all the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

PAM WAKEFIELD, WIFE: He believes that this is the only thing on the horizon that will help him with his cure.

COHEN: Scientists hope someday they'll be able to take stem cells and turn them into the nerve cells that Steve needs so badly.

Steve knows President Bush; he's campaigned for the Bush family for 25 years. A lawyer, he served in the first Bush administration. But he says that the president made the wrong decision on stem cells a year ago.

So why are the Wakefield's so frustrated with the president? Embryonic stem cells are made from unused embryos stored in infertility labs. A year ago, Bush announced federal funding could be used only on embryonic stem cells made in 11 labs and no more.

We spoke with several top stem cell researchers who say they've tried but for various legal and scientific reasons they can't get their hands on the cells made in those 11 labs.

Dr. Curt Civin wants stem cells to rebuild bone marrow for children with cancer, but he says that stem cell research is now at a virtual standstill. DR. CURT CIVIN, JOHNS HOPKINS KIMMEL CANCER CENTER: Certainly in our lab we haven't been able to get going even on studying the embryonic stem cells because we can't get our hands on them.

COHEN: The Department of Health and Human Services says they're trying to make it easier.

TOMMY THOMPSON, HHS SECRETARY: It's going to continue to ramp up as we proceed. It's starting slow, but it's going to continue to move forward.

COHEN: The government recently started to make arrangements to distribute stem cells to researchers, but the Wakefield's say they can't help but think that this is all moving too slowly.

P. WAKEFIELD: Reagan said, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down those walls. And Bush can say tear down those walls of the disease and then he can be such a hero just for eternity.

COHEN: For them, politics has gotten in the way of finding a way for Steve to be the man he once was.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com