'Think of loved ones and what might even happen to you in the future, and go with your conscience.'

10/02/2002

BY G. WAYNE MILLER
Journal Staff Writer

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- Christopher Reeve yesterday urged Rhode Island to pass legislation that would allow scientists in the Ocean State free rein in experimenting with stem cells, which hold the promise of curing a multitude of diseases and disorders, including Reeve's own paralysis.

Speaking to an audience of more than 1,000 at the University of Rhode Island -- a crowd that filled three lecture halls and spilled into the corridors -- Reeve said that with presidential support lacking and some in Congress adamantly opposed, the states must take the lead in stem-cell research.

The actor and activist held as a model the state of California, which has passed and signed into law a controversial measure granting researchers broad freedom in their work, albeit with government oversight.

Journal photos / Glenn Osmundson PACKED HOUSE: Actor Christopher Reeve speaks to an overflow audience at the Chafee Social Science Center on the URI Kingston campus last night, arguing that states must take the lead in stem cell research.

"Last week, California took a very bold, brave, courageous initiative," Reeve said. "This is a case of a win-win situation for patients, for researchers, and for an industry."

Use of stem cells is controversial because one type is derived from human embryos, which develop from fertilized eggs and can become fetuses and then babies.

But stem cells can also be grown from unfertilized eggs into which DNA from another individual has been implanted, a process known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning -- a term that some people confuse with reproductive cloning, a similar technology with the dramatically different goal of producing an identical copy of a person.

"They think of science fiction or the world getting out of control -- or that this type of cloning will turn into reproductve cloning, which we all abhor," Reeve said. He said he supports legislation establishing a $1-million fine and up to 10 years in prison for anyone engaged in human reproductive cloning.

Reeve, whose most memorable film character was Superman, was left paralyzed from the shoulders down when he was thrown from a horse in May 1995. Doctors predicted that he would never regain lost function -- but Reeve defied that prognosis when, two years ago, he moved the index finger of his left hand. Further progress followed, until today he can move much of his body, "walk" in a swimming pool, and feel sensation where it had been lost.

Medicine had never recorded an instance of a person improving so significantly so long after such a severe injury. Reeve credits the guidance of St. Louis neurologist Dr. John W. McDonald and an intensive program involving physical therapy and machines that electrically stimulate his muscles.

But a complete recovery -- to achieve Reeve's goal of walking again -- would probably involve innovative treatment, such as stem-cell therapy.

Reeve spoke during a discussion of "Stem Cell Research Ethics and Public Policy," the fourth session in a biotechnology colloquium sponsored by URI, The Providence Journal and others. Also speaking were Dr. Peter Smith, professor emeritus of pediatrics at Brown Medical School, and the Rev. David Ames, Episcopal chaplain at Brown University and assistant clinical professor of community health at Brown Medical School.

A Unitarian, Reeve said he understands the concerns surrounding stem cells; they are at the heart of the question of when life begins, a question on which religions and individuals differ.

"But is it possible to agree that life as we know it is the union of male and female?" Reeve said. With unfertilized eggs as the source of stem cells, somatic cell nuclear transfer, he said, "involves no union of male and female."

Reeve urged his audience to consider "the potential to save thousands upon thousands, if not millions of lives" in the United States alone when taking a moral position on stem-cell experimentation.

"Think of loved ones and what might even happen to you in the future and go with your conscience," Reeve said.

Although he once required a ventilator for every breath, Reeve can now breathe on his own for extended periods. The wheelchair in which he sat yesterday was equipped with a ventilator, but Reeve did not appear to need it during the 45 minutes he spoke and answered questions.

And while his appearance seemed to have tired him by the end, he sprinkled his remarks with humor.

Arriving to a standing ovation, Reeve said: "I'm glad to know [this] was free because I always want to make sure people get what they pay for."

Regarding his 50th birthday, which he celebrated last Wednesday, Reeve said: "Since I almost left the planet when I was 42, 50 is no big deal."

Reeve was interrupted several times by applause, and received another standing ovation when he left, to return by van with his small entourage to his home an hour north of New York City.

Also last night, URI President Robert L. Carothers announced creation of a scholarship in Reeve's name. The annual scholarship is to be given to a student at URI's Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Continuing Education at the school's Providence campus. Feinstein donated the money for the scholarship.

The URI colloquium continues next Tuesday with a discussion of molecular genetics and race, at 7 p.m. in URI's Chafee Social Science Center, on the Kingston campus. Sociologist Troy Duster will be the featured speaker.