Pentagon Bankrolls Swedish Stem Cell Study

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Pentagon Bankrolls Swedish Stem Cell Study

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) Mar 17 - The Pentagon has granted $240,000 to a Swedish team for embryonic stem-cell research linked to Parkinson's disease, the researchers said on Wednesday, despite U.S. government limits on stem-cell research.

In a statement, Lund University in southern Sweden said the U.S. Department of Defense was supporting the Swedish Parkinson's study because the findings could be used to treat similar neurological illnesses caused by battlefield toxins.

The Swedish research, using human embryonic stem cells, will focus on ways to prompt the cells to develop into the type of nerve cells deficient in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease. The disease causes tremors, muscle rigidity and slow movement and is currently incurable.

"The goal is to develop a line of human embryonic stem cells, which can be transplanted to test animals with a disease resembling Parkinson's," said Patrik Brundin, the research team leader.

Stem cells are a type of master cell. Embryonic stem cells, or blastocysts, can be directed to develop into any type of cell or tissue when grown correctly.

U.S. President W. Bush has forbidden the use of federal funds to manipulate or create human embryos for research and limited scientific research to a few existing batches of cells taken from fertility clinic leftovers.

Opponents, including Bush, say any use of a human embryo amounts to murder and is unethical. Critics are pushing for legislation in the United States that would outlaw the practice completely.

Brundin's team sought research funding from the J. Fox Foundation, founded by the American actor who has Parkinson's disease. The foundation forwarded the application to the Pentagon, Lund University said.