ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- While supporters tout the potential of stem cells to treat a wide range of diseases, many conservatives oppose embryonic stem cell research that destroys human embryos.

But on Wednesday, Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich bucked his own party line by proposing $20 million in state dollars to fund embryonic stem cell research.

In 2001, President George W. Bush restricted the use of federal money to embryonic stem cell lines already in existence, leading some states to fund the research on their own.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporters Barry Simms and David Collins reported that Ehrlich's announcement Wednesday came as a surprise to both advocates and critics, pointing to responses from all ends of the political spectrum.

Critics noted a stem-cell funding bill died during the previous legislative session with no support from the governor.

Stem cell research advocates have maintained hope about the possibility of curing diabetes and Parkinson's disease, in addition to the potential for regenerating nerves to overcome paralysis.

The General Assembly had already proposed stem cell research legislation for debate, slated to begin Thursday. Collins reported Wednesday's announcement could sway support for the legislation.

Democratic lawmakers had proposed $125 million over five years. Baltimore City Delegate Samuel Rosenberg, D-District 41, said he would seek $25 million in state funding.

Still, some conservative members of the state Senate likened the use embryonic stem cells for research to abortions.

Barry Rascovar, a political analyst, told 11 News that lawmakers will have to "find a common cause in this legislation (to avoid) a filibuster that could kill the operating funds for the new center at the University of Maryland."

"It has become too politicized in American politics, people choose sides," Ehrlich said of stem cell research. "I would hope we would keep the politics to a minimum."

Ehrlich said the Maryland Technology Development Corp., part of the state's economic development agency, would develop protocols for determining what research would be funded, including research on embryonic and adult stem cells.

Aris Melissaratos, the state's economic development secretary, urged those in the audience to "leave the politics out."

"We're about getting the best science to move forward," Melissaratos said, echoing the governor's statements about the importance of building on the region's life sciences infrastructure.

Dems Accuse Governor Of Politicizing Issue

Democrats accused the governor of an election year turnaround on the issue. The Republican governor, meanwhile, lamented the politicization of the issue.

Gubernatorial candidate Doug Duncan, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Ehrlich in November, called the announcement part of an "extreme makeover" from "right-wing ideologue to phony Election Year moderate."

Fellow Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martin O'Malley said: "Sometimes, even the governor does the right thing, if we force him to do the right thing."

"This is enormously important as a political tool for someone who's running for re-election," Rascovar said. "It puts him in the driver's seat and it puts Duncan and O'Malley, if not in the back seat, but in the trunk of the car."

Maryland Democratic Party Chair Terry Lierman accused Ehrlich of "an 11th hour election year flip-flop on stem cell research."

Lierman said the proposal includes less money than the bill defeated in the Legislature last year, which called for $125 million in research money.

"The race to find cures for debilitating diseases does not stop while politicians ponder politics," said Lierman. "The victims and their families are too important and Maryland's global leadership in scientific research is too important to let any more time go by without a clearly-articulated plan."

Lierman noted the "leeway" given the Maryland Technology Development Corp. on how the money will be used.

"The governor is essentially saying 'here's some money but I'm not taking any responsibility for how or whether it is used,"' Lierman said.

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