7News reporter Sybrandy delivered misleading stem cell report

Summary: In a 7News report on legislation that would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, reporter Hendrik Sybrandy said: "Some worry ... that expanded funding could lead to the creation of embryos for research purposes." In fact, the bill would have limited funding to research using excess embryos donated by in vitro fertilization clinics and that would otherwise have been "discarded".

In a July 18 report on legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Denver) that would have expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, reporter Hendrik Sybrandy of KMGH 7News, a Denver ABC affiliate, reported on the channel's 5 p.m. MT broadcast that "[s]ome worry ... that expanded funding could lead to the creation of embryos for research purposes." In fact, DeGette's bill would have limited funding to research using excess embryos that were donated by in vitro fertilization clinics and that would otherwise have been "discarded."

DeGette co-authored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act and, as noted by The Denver Post, "helped assemble a coalition that passed a stem-cell bill in the House over the objections of GOP leaders, Bush and social conservatives."

The House of Representatives passed DeGette's stem cell bill (238-194) in 2005; the Senate passed it (63-37) prior to Sybrandy's report on July 18. On July 19, President Bush vetoed the bill, and the House failed, by 53 votes, to get the two-thirds majority necessary for the override resolution to pass the House and move on to the Senate for consideration in that body.

From the Congressional Research Service's summary of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act:

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo, provided such embryos: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment); and (4) were donated by such individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements.

From the July 18 5 p.m. MT broadcast of 7News:

SYBRANDY: Now, the federal government right now funds a very limited set of stem cell lines. Some worry, though, that expanded funding could lead to the creation of embryos for research purposes. Some don't like that idea one bit.

—C.H.