UW-Madison's leadership in stem-cell research has the potential not only to produce revolutionary medical treatments but also to create jobs and income for the Madison region.
That's why Wisconsin should encourage Barack Obama to swiftly follow through on his pledge to lift the ban on federal funding for research on new embryonic stem-cell lines.
Lifting the ban should then be followed, when fiscally prudent, with increased federal funding for stem-cell research.
Increased funding that includes new embryonic stem-cell lines will yield more research, more breakthroughs in the treatment of disease and more new businesses.
UW-Madison was a pioneer in embryonic stem-cell research, thanks largely to professor James Thomson, who grew the first embryonic stem cells.
Now, about three dozen research teams involving more than 100 scientists study embryonic stem cells on campus.
A 2007 study found that the annual economic impact of stem-cell research in Wisconsin was $44.5 million.
That's just an inkling of the results stem-cell research could achieve.
However, President George W. Bush in 2001 barred federal money from being used for research on any embryonic stem cells created beyond the 21 stem-cell lines in existence then.
The ban was prompted by opposition to stem-cell research from many pro-life groups.
The funding ban has restrained research, which in turn has limited opportunities for medical breakthroughs and scaled back the potential for economic growth in the Madison area.
Obama last year committed to reversing the ban as one of his first acts after assuming office. He should fulfill that commitment through an executive order as soon as possible.
Congress should follow up by incorporating the reversal in a comprehensive law freeing stem-cell research from unwarranted federal restrictions.
Research breakthroughs in other lines of stem cells have prompted calls to leave in place restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. However, embryonic stem cells remain the gold mine for medical research. Moreover, embryonic stem-cell research is a field that the Madison region can mine for economic growth.
Obama should lift the ban. Wisconsin should support the decision.
