Members of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents are under increasing pressure to decide whether NU's medical scientists should be able to go along with newly relaxed federal rules on embryonic stem cell research.

But even as advocates on both sides step up their public calls, regents made it clear Tuesday they won't be pressured into acting until they're ready.

Rather, regents said, they'll take up a resolution on the issue when they've gathered all the facts and fully explored their options.

"I don't think whether they have one person there or thousands, that that's going to sway the Board of Regents," Regent Randy Ferlic of Omaha said of Nebraska Right to Life's call for picketers during the board's Oct. 23 meeting.

"I don't know when (stem cell research) will come up."

Said Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln: "I don't think that outside forces on either side are going to pressure anybody to act.

"The issue is, do we have enough information to make an educated decision that we believe to be in the best interest of the university?"

In its October newsletter, Nebraska Right to Life called on allies to picket outside Varner Hall, the East Campus building where regents meet, urging regents not to allow expanded embryonic stem cell research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Expansion became possible when President Barack Obama in March lifted restrictions on the research put in place by former President George W. Bush.

Current regents policy says UNMC researchers must abide by federal guidelines.

Under Bush, that meant researchers could conduct embryonic stem cell research only on stem cell lines created before Aug. 9, 2001. UNMC researchers have said those lines have lost value because they're old and contaminated.

But then Obama moved to allow federally funded research on new stem cell lines, fueling excitement in some UNMC quarters.

Embryonic stem cells are "blank slates" that can grow into different types of tissue. Supporters of embryonic stem cell research say the research could hold the key to treatments of diseases like Parkinson's, diabetes and more.

But harvesting embryonic stem cells requires the destruction of an embryo, which opponents deem morally wrong.

Nebraska law already prohibits the creation and destruction of embryos at will. Any new stem cell lines UNMC researchers would gain access to would come from embryos left over from fertility treatments; those embryos generally are thrown away.

Nevertheless, some groups want regents to make sure researchers continue to conduct embryonic stem cell research only on the stem cell lines approved under Bush.

Four of the eight regents -- Ferlic, Clare, Howard Hawks of Omaha and Jim McClurg of Lincoln -- have received endorsements from Nebraska Right to Life's political action committee, and another, Bob Phares of North Platte, has indicated his opposition to embryonic stem cell research.

That leads Nebraska Right to Life Director Julie Schmit-Albin to believe the board would decide in her group's favor.

"Our job is to hold (regents) accountable," she said. "We're not saying they're not doing their job. We're just saying, 'We're here to make sure what you told all these pro-life voters when you ran for office is how you act once you're in office.'"

Sanford Goodman, president of the Nebraska Coalition for Life-Saving Cures, countered that continued restrictions on embryonic stem cell research would damage UNMC's international reputation.

Regents, he said, "are the stewards of a university, and a university has a special role in society.

"They have duties under the law to provide for a thorough education in the arts and sciences. So it's very hard for them to say, 'Except for this area of science.'"

Faculty senates from at least two NU campuses, meanwhile, have passed statements of support for current regents policy.

NU President J.B. Milliken has said UNMC researchers won't change their practices until regents visit the issue.

Whether regents will discuss stem cell research next week remains to be seen.

When asked why he hadn't already brought forth a resolution limiting researchers to the Bush-approved stem cell lines, Ferlic speculated he's too polarizing a figure to move forward alone.

The best strategy, he said, might be for the five pro-life regents to sponsor a resolution together.

Clare said he hopes regents debate a resolution soon -- preferably next week -- so the issue doesn't dominate headlines for months.

And Regent Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons, a supporter of embryonic stem cell research, said although he wants to stick with current policy, he understands the board has needed time to examine the issue.

"But it can't go on forever," Hassebrook said. "At some point, the board has to act."

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.