An early attempt by Gov. Chet Culver to make good on a campaign pledge to support stem cell research will likely draw scrutiny, but may not be the best early measure of partisan tendencies in the Legislature.

Culver’s proposed budget, officially released Tuesday, includes an appropriation of $12.5 million to establish an Iowa Center for Regenerative Medicine to lead stem cell research in the state.

Stem cells, which have the ability to develop into several kinds of cells found in the body, have potential to provide a treatment or cure for a variety of diseases and conditions by replacing malfunctioning or missing cells with healthy ones.

The appropriation would work in tandem with the governor’s request to end a state ban on research involving embryonic stem cells, which are stem cells harvested from embryos that would otherwise be disposed of by fertility clinics.

Culver made stem cells an integral part of his campaign platform. This introduction, along with his confident margin of victory, may account for the governor’s eagerness to approach the issue that continues to be divisive from some, said Paul Coates, associate professor of political science.

“It’s one of the major things that he ran on, along with minimum wage and the cigarette tax and a few others,” Coates said. “I assume that he thought whatever political hit he was going to take, he was going to take [in the election].”

Embryonic stem cell research has opponents in both parties, but draws generally stronger support from Democrats. Critics perceive a human rights dilemma over harvesting cells from living organisms.

Coates said some legislators may also see lifting the ban as a dangerous precedent that opens the door to less scrupulous harvesting practices.

Potential for an early partisan encounter is present, but the case for expanded research will only mature with discussion, said Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, associate professor of economics.

“I don’t think it needs to be divisive,” Quirmbach said. “Whether some people want to make it divisive for political purposes, I can’t help that.”

Funding for research will likely not be as provocative as Culver’s request to lift the Iowa ban on embryonic stem cell research. If the governor chooses to put a significant push behind the issue, embryonic research could elicit strong resistance from Republicans, said Donald McDowell, ISU College Republicans president and junior in political science.

“A lot of Republicans are very concerned that you are terminating something that might be human life,” McDowell said. “If he is dead-set for [embryonic research], then we are set for an early showdown.”

Popular support for embryonic research is uncertain, but Sarah Sunderman, ISU Democrats president and senior in marketing, said although the broad range of viewpoints could spark debate, Culver’s win in the election shows broad support for his platform.

“I think that there definitely is a lot of support among the people who voted Culver. That was part of his plan and I think that is basically saying they are in support of not just him, but his ideas including [stem cells],” Sunderman said.

If the issue becomes contentious, Coates said, Iowans may still have to wait for another issue, such as the proposed raise in tobacco taxes, for a true test of how Democrats and Republicans will work together in the new Legislature. He said that because opinions differ on both sides, the parties will likely let their members “vote their conscience.”

“Other issues, taxes and things like that, they may rhetorically have points of view, but those are things that they can work out some compromises; it is just very hard on these types of issues,” Coates said.

Quirmbach said educating citizens – as well as legislators – will be important to any debate on stem cells and stressed the technology is not related to the issue of human cloning.

“I would certainly welcome any discussion of the topic,” Quirmbach said. “The merits of the issue are that there is a great research potential there, and potential to do a lot of good in finding cures for some very awful diseases.”

If a significant challenge arises, Coates said the governor is still likely to move aggressively for passage.

He said Culver’s political risk will depend on if he is advancing the issue to test party reactions or show follow-through on his campaign platform.

“In some ways leaders are judged on how willing they are to take some risks and push things even when there is opposition to it,” Coates said.

“My guess is that he also feels that he can win the battle.”