An Illinois law that allows the use of human embryos in stem cell research while also providing public funding and setting guidelines for conduct will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the bill on Aug. 28, after it passed 70 to 44 in the Illinois General Assembly and 35 to 23 in the Illinois Senate. The bill was sponsored by state Sens. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) and Tom Cross (R-Oswego).

Northwestern was listed as a supporter of the bill in a press release from the Illinois Senate.

Schoenberg had previously attempted to pass two similar bills, both of which lost narrowly.

“This victory marks the end of a successful three-year fight to establish that Illinois is a welcome place for all forms of stem cell research, including somatic cell nuclear transfer,” he said.

Schoenberg said that in the beginning, there was much opposition to his legislation.

“The two prior losses were the most heartbreaking experiences of my political career,” he said. “I have met too many people whose lives could be benefited considerably by scientific breakthroughs.”

The senator cited members of the “anti-choice movement,” especially the Catholic Conference of Illinois, as the main opponents to his stem cell research initiatives.

But the law is important because it provides Illinois researchers with the opportunity to perform important studies, said Dr. Lewis Smith, NU’s associate vice president for research and chairman of the Northwestern University Committee on Human Stem Cell Research.

“(The study) can have major impacts on the treatment of several diseases, such as spinal cord injuries and diabetes,” he said.

Smith also said that although stem cell research is not a major field at NU, the bill could provide a mechanism for research support.

The issue of embryonic stem cell research has sparked national debate in recent years, due to its moral implications.

Politicians and citizens are torn between the promise of curing diseases and the possibility of destroying life in embryos.

In particular, President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in 2006 has caused considerable opposition, Smith said.

“Bush prohibited the creation of new embryonic stem cell lines,” said Smith, calling the decision “a huge problem” because scientists can only use 12 of the about 70 existing lines. The lines help create and sustain cells for research.

“Politicians should take the political handcuffs off researchers and scientists who are following moral and ethical standards,” Schoenberg said. “With Bush blocking the doorway, it has become even more critical to accelerate research.”

Some NU students said they support stem cell research, especially if it does not involve creating new lines.

Mohanned El-Natour said he is a “big fan” of the new law.

“Those stem cells would be thrown away,” the McCormick junior said. “They’re making the most of what they have to help other people.”

Medill freshman Sabrina Lazarus agreed.

“I believe that whatever we can do to help people without hurting anyone else is always good,” she said.

And NU students are not the only people in the local area who favor the bill.

“I think it was a good decision,” said Allison Barr, an Evanston resident and diabetes patient. “We need to do more for the welfare of humanity.”

But those who oppose using human embryos for research have expressed concern that the practice undermines humanity and is unnecessary for scientists to continue their research.

In a February podcast, Bob Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, said he supported using other types of stem cells or amniotic fluid to treat disease.

“To date there has been no cure found using embryo-destructive research,” he said.

Although the new law was a major victory for Schoenberg, he said he plans to continue to push for advancements in the field of embryonic stem cell research.

“The next step is increasing public funding for research in Illinois,” he said. “The state’s investment serves as a magnet to get more money from foundations and venture capitalists.”

Reach Sean Walsh at [email protected].