In Virginia Legislative Study Committee recommended that the General Assembly create and finance a statewide umbilical cord blood banking system to aid cancer treatment and stem cell research.

Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William and chairman of the study committee, said the state should not promote embryonic stem cell research because of “ethical objections” and recent scientific developments showing more promise for adult stem cell and cord blood research.

The panel will ask the General Assembly for an additional year to continue to examine other stem cell issues.

Dr. Curtis W. Thorpe, a medical consultant with the Virginia Department of Health, recommended a storage capacity of at least 40,000 doses. Marshal said that would give Virginia an adequate supply if terrorists attack with a nuclear “dirty bomb.”

I think it is inane to think about “dirty bombs” where hundreds of thousands of people are dying and suffering everyday from several diseases which could be cured with stem cell research. What will they think of next? Protecting from aliens?

Committee member Kris Gulden of Fairfax County, who uses a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury, said she was disappointed with the modest recommendation.

“There’s this thinking that we shouldn’t pursue embryonic stem cell research because therapies might not come for 10 or 20 years. Well, I’d rather have them in 10 years than in 20. I’d rather have the possibility of therapies in 20 years than in 40,” she said, fighting back tears. “I would like to see all forms of research go forward with public and private funds.”

Hat-tip: Daily Press