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This is a burning question, but we have no answers yet. It’s apparent that embryonic stem cells have vast potential. Only recently have we realized that adult stem cells have similar potential. We don’t know how they compare. We must perform experiments comparing and contrasting adult and embryonic stem cells to get answers. The underlying question is: Are all stem cells created equal? Or which cells should be used for which diseases under which circumstances? We hope to tailor stem cell research to the patient.

It will have a very positive effect. By affirming the state’s commitment to the new regenerative medicine of the 21st century, the law will stimulate research in this important area. Conversely, restrictions on stem cell research imposed by any government will have an inhibitory effect. This is important because our objective is to deliver new treatments to the bedside as quickly as possible. Any environment that fosters careful, rigorous research will have a positive effect on translational research.

It should be stressed that the stem cell revolution represents an entirely new approach to medicine and disease. Replacing dead, dying or dysfunctional cells applies to diseases as diverse as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, spinal cord injury and heart disease, to name just a few. We can see that a whole variety of plagues may become accessible through stem cell therapies. What are the limits to this extraordinary new approach to human disease? We don’t know. In summary then, it would appear that stem cells hold the possibility to markedly decrease human suffering. Our dream is to get patients out of bed, out of wheelchairs to live productive lives. We hope stem cells will get us there.

We are exploring the potential of adult stem cells as treatment for animal models of disease. We recently found, for example, that we could differentiate bone marrow cells into nerve cells. We are now transplanting these cells into animal models of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and spinal cord injury – and waiting with bated breath for the results. We are also transplanting the bone marrow cells into living embryos in the uteri of animals to approach congenital diseases, birth defects and mental retardation. We thereby hope to use stem cells to treat diseases at different stages of life. In
parallel, we are examining cells from animals of different ages to compare potentials.

The governor’s vision for a new stem cell institute has far-reaching import. For now, the institute will be the only state-supported initiative in this field. It will foster multidisciplinary basic science and clinical approaches to stem cell biology and stem cell treatments. This novel inter-institutional entity between UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers will form partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry and with biotechnology start-up initiatives, and will invite visiting scientists from around the world to share the most recent advances. We anticipate that New Jersey will continue to emerge as a leader in this exciting and critical new area. The work itself is beginning immediately while we refine a three-year plan for realizing these goals. We have already initiated efforts to recruit international leaders in stem cell research.