Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND LAW permits stem cell research yet explicitly bans the use of embryonic stem cells for human cloning. As of 2007, the state was in the process of discussing a bill that would allow the harvest of embryonic stem cells from discarded embryos created for purposes of in vitro fertilization.

In 2005, when the United States Senate passed a bill that would expand federal funding for research on adult stem cells, which was subsequently altered in the House of Representatives to exclude embryonic stem cell research, Rhode Island Democratic representative James Langevin supported the bill. Representative Langevin himself is unable to walk because of a spinal cord injury he received when he was 16 years old.

Senate hopefuls in 2006 argued extensively over stem cell research. One candidate, Stephen P. Laffey, supported research on adult stem cells only but not the expansion of federal funding for this research, stating his disbelief that there was any advantage to embryonic stem cells. The opposing candidate, Senator Lincoln D. Chafee, supported expansion of federal funding to include embryonic stem cell research. The candidates' viewpoints on embryonic stem cells came under scrutiny when it was revealed that Senate hopeful Laffey had invested his personal funds in a biotechnology company, based in California, that developed embryonic stem cell therapies.

On April 10, 2007, Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts released a report titled “Discovering Rhode Island's Stem Cell Future: Charting the Course Toward Health and Prosperity.” In this report, Roberts pledged to work with experts throughout the state of Rhode Island and beyond to develop a course that would expand stem cell research in Rhode Island. In fact, Roberts led an effort by nearly a dozen lieutenant governors from the United States to petition President George W. Bush to repeal his veto on embryonic stem cell research. Roberts authored the petition, which was signed by nine additional lieutenant governors.

Most stem cell research in Rhode Island occurs at Brown University, in Providence, and at Miriam Hospital, its affiliated teaching hospital, and Rhode Island Hospital, also in Providence. A key researcher on stem cells at Brown University, Miriam Hospital, and Rhode Island Hospital alike is Peter Quesen—berry, M.D. Quesenberry is the director of hema—tology and oncology at Rhode Island Hospital and the Miriam Hospital. His work sheds light on the fundamentals of stem cell molecular biology.