Geron did not respond to United Press International's request for comment, but David Greenwood, the company's executive vice president and chief financial officer, said in a statement the favorable environment for stem cell research in the United Kingdom was a primary reason they decided to conduct their research in Scotland.

"We are continuing our research activity in the U.K. because we know there is a pool of knowledgeable and talented (human embryonic stem cell) scientists there," Greenwood said, noting that Geron is sponsoring six programs involving human embryonic stem cells in the United Kingdom.

"Moreover, in addition to the scientific talent and the general receptivity in the U.K. for (human embryonic stem cell) technology, there is funding support," he said.

Geron has also established a subsidiary in the United Kingdom called Geron Bio-Med Ltd.

The preclinical studies, which Geron hopes will support an investigational new drug application, will involve hepatocytes for the treatment of liver failure and osteoblasts and chondrocytes for the treatment of disorders such as osteoarthritis, bone fractures and osteoporosis.

The research will be based at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine, which is directed by Ian Wilmut, who gained notoriety for cloning Dolly the sheep.

Ivan Feinseth, an analyst with Matrix Research, told UPI the current stem cell climate in the United States is a negative for Geron.

Feinseth said he currently rates the stock as a sell because "they lose money and are burning through cash." It will take a lot more R and D before they turn things around, he added.

Feinseth said other companies in this field "absolutely" will start to look overseas to conduct their research due to the restrictive U.S. policies for funding of the research. "It's going to happen more and more," he said.

Advanced Cell Technology, based in Worcester, Mass., is one such example.

Robert Lanza, vice president of medical and scientific affairs at Advanced Cell Technology, told UPI the company has collaborations going on with U.K. scientist Keith Campbell and other researchers in that country. In addition, the company may open a subsidiary in the U.K.

"We are contemplating a branch there as well," Lanza said, noting that the country is very supportive of the research and there is funding available.

"If something doesn't change soon, we're not going to have any options," he said. "We just need to see how this all plays out, but certainly the research is being held back because of current policies."

Scientists and other parties supportive of embryonic stem cell research are closely watching the November elections in Congress and hoping they will provide enough change to override current U.S. policies on federal funding, Lanza said.

The field really needs the large amount of funding that only the federal government can provide to help propel it along, he said.

"There's a lot to be done and there's just not the resources," he said, noting that his company has been forced to table promising research due to lack of funds.

Without the federal funding to drive the basic research, the field is struggling to get to the level where it's ready for clinical studies and large pharmaceutical companies become involved.

Lanza noted that he has been in discussions with several pharmaceutical companies that are "very keen" to see the research move forward.

"A lot of pharmaceutical companies are just waiting on the sidelines to see how this plays out," he said.

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