Denver Magazine / June 2010 / The Hard Cell

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The Hard Cell

Recently launching the controversial Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, the University of Colorado School of Medicine is expected to ensue strong reactions for practicing the study of embryonic stem cell research.

The University of Colorado School of Medicine recently reported the launch of the Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology (uchsc.edu/stemcell). On the surface, the announcement seems to amount to little more than a name change from “program” to “center.” The new designation, however, is expected to attract further financial support from both private and federal sources and allow the center to partner with the Colorado Prevention Center for research, planning, and clinical trials. The practice of embryonic stem cell research may engender strong feelings. Those in favor — such as Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette, who, in March, reintroduced legislation that would "ensure a lasting ethical framework" to regulate and expand embryonic stem cell research at the National Institutes of Health — see it as a research tool that could potentially result in life-changing medical breakthroughs. Others remain strongly opposed, unable to support the concept of an ethical framework for research that involves human embryos. Currently, the majority of the research done at the Anschutz Medical Campus involves adult stem cells. The embryonic cells used are from lines approved by the National Institutes of Health as having been derived from cells donated under "ethically sound informed consent processes," according to NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins.