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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 1999)
SPOUTS Fiesta Time The Nebraska football team continues prepara tions for the Jan. 2 Fiesta Bowl against Tennessee in Tempe, Ariz.. PAGE 10 Ill To Wine and Dine Lincoln offers a number of little-known, quality restaurants that feature a variety of cuisine, prices and atmosphere. BACK PAGE December 13,1999 Mostly sunny, low 25. VOL. 99 COVERING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN SINCE 1901 NO. 75 Regents vote to continue fetal research ■ A unanimous vote on Saturday supported the use of aborted fetal tissue for UNMC research. By Kimberly Sweet Senior staff writer The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted unanimously Saturday to allow the t University of Nebraska Medical Center to contin ue research on tissue obtained from aborted fetus £ es. The regents voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution supporting the method UNMC uses to conduct 7 research they believe could eventually contribute I to a cure for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Regent Charles Wilson from Lincoln was t absent from the meeting. The vote came after nearly two hours of public | comment by those who said they either supported ; 1 or opposed the use of fetal tissue obtained from Dr. Leroy Carhart, who runs an abortion clinic in Bellevue, in research done at UNMC. Lela Shank, a Lincoln resident, talked about the emotional and physical difficulty she had tak ing care of her husband who died of Alzheimer’s disease. After recalling years of not being able to eat, sleep or even brush her teeth at times because of the constant supervision her husband required, she urged the regents not to end the research that could improve the chances of her children. “He was the fourth member of his family to die of dementia,” Shanks said. “Each of our chil dren have wondered aloud whether this will be their future.” Guyla Mills, director of the Nebraska Family Council, read aloud a letter sent to her by a 51 year-old suffering from Parkinson’s disease, unable to grasp the fact that fetal tissue would be used to find a cure for a disease that ultimately leads to death. “I wonder if they realize the sickness we feel in our hearts when we hear the brains of innocent children are being used to find a cure for us,” Mills read from the letter. “Surely there are many other acceptable avenues of research.” UNMC Chancellor Harold Maurer also addressed the regents, saying that all proper guide lines and policies were followed when getting approval for and carrying out the research. “There was no intention at any time to hide the research,” Maurer said. “We followed all guide lines. “What we did not do was put out a press « This research was no secret, and there was never any intention to hide it.” Harold Maurer UNMC chancellor release.” Maurer pointed out articles published in the Omaha World-Herald in 1997 that talked specifi cally about the research the medical center was doing on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. “This research was no secret, and there was never any intention to hide it,” Maurer said. Putting an end to the research at UNMC would not stop it entirely, Maurer said. Instead, it would send the researchers - and the grant money they bring in - to another facility somewhere else in the country. “If they were forced to stop today, they would take the research and the grant money with them Maurer said. “That’s 2 to 3 million dollars.” He also expressed the importance of the research to the people of Nebraska who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, 77,000 people in the state have die disease, Maurer said. The number is expected to double in the next 30 years as the population con tinues to age. Regent Drew Miller expressed his support for the research before the vote was taken. Miller said stopping the research would cause scientists to leave UNMC and go to universities that pay for aborted fetuses. The research should stay at a university that doesn’t provide incentives for the tissue. “If you force this research to leave UNMC, you may be increasing abortion,” Miller said. Regent Don Blank from McCook also voiced his support for the research, saying he didn’t believe it was an abortion issue. “We abhor drunken driving, but can we really Please see REGENTS on 7 NateWagner/DN UHL POLICE OFFICER A. J. Clifton walks up a staircase in Avery Hall on Thursday night. Clifton was in Avery Hall responding to a call of a possible missing person, who was later found. UNL police hard at work ■ Despite vacations and empty campuses, UNL police continue their tasks. By George Green Staff writer University of Nebraska-Lincoln | ‘ Police Ofc. A.J. Clifton came to the rescue last Thursday night. He didn’t arrest an infamous felon or interrupt a burglary in progress. Instead, Clifton secured the Canfield Administration building, patrolled vulnerable parking lots and saved Susan Jenkins, a graduate student in business and administra tion, from a cold walk home after her car’s battery died. Please see POLICE on 2 m The CSOs are there for their eyes and their ears.” AJ. Clifton UNL police officer Arizona ready for Husker fans ■ Restaurants and bars around Tempe are ready to cater to the Big Red. By Veronica Daehn and Dane Stickney Staff writers When Nebraska fans travel to the Fiesta Bowl in early January, the Valley of the Sun will likely turn into a sea of red. Husker fans will be searching for things to do before and after the Jan. 2 bowl game, and area business owners said they are prepared for the folks dressed in red and white. “We’re expecting a ton of Nebraskans,” said Mark Miller, owner of P.F. Chang’s, a Chinese restaurant. “It’s a treat when they come to town because they’re such great cus tomers.” P.F. Chang’s is an up-scale Chinese restaurant that has locations next to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, in North Scottsdale and in Scottsdale’s Fashion Square. “If you’re talking about hot spots, Chang’s is definitely one of them,” Miller said. “We’ve got some high quality Chinese food, and a variety of Asian wine and beer.” Fashion Square is the biggest shopping mall in the valley, and it attracts a large number of tourists each year. Kim Harris, a representative with the Arizona Office of Tourism, said she expected Fashion Square to be a popular place during the Fiesta Bowl.' “You can shop all day at the most current and trendy stores, then get something to eat or drink at any of the great restaurants in the area,” she said. “Fashion Square is a spectacle that everyone should see.” Chris Pease, manager of Z’Teja’s, a southwestern Cajun-style restaurant, agreed that Nebraska fans were well known in the Fiesta Bowl area. “It’s easier to spot folks from Nebraska,” Pease said. “They’re always wearing team paraphernalia. They’re very visible.” Z’Teja’s is located in Scottsdale’s Fashion Square, 7014-590 East Camelback. Phil Bedel, manager of Don and Charlie’s Sports Place, a Fashion Square barbecue and steak house, said they were busy enough without offer ing special promotions for the Fiesta Bowl. “We do a lot of business with Nebraska fans,” Bedel said. “We’re ready for them, and we’re looking for ward to them coming out.” Bedel said his restaurant catered to the tastes of people from Nebraska. “Midwesterners are meat and potatoes people,” he said. “We have meat and potatoes. We’re a good value.” Downtown Tempe also has restau rants and bars that hope to draw in thirsty Nebraska fans. Harris said Tempe’s Millennium Avenue is a must-see for Husker fans. “Millennium Avenue is definitely the place to be,” she said. “It’s chock hill of good restaurants and entertain ment. If you want a feel for Tempe, you’ve got to go there.” Please see BOWL on 3 ReadtheDailyNebra8kanontheWorldWideWebatdailyneb.com