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To: Michail Shadkin who wrote (5114)	8/9/2001 1:17:37 PM
From: horsegirl48	Respond to of 6873

im wondering I own astm and if the shorters r all over stem cells today, if i should get out fast???

To: Michail Shadkin who wrote (5114)	8/9/2001 1:22:07 PM
From: 3_putt	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6873

Michail, I keep hearing that PHSY will wind up in the low single didits due to a bond default. Heard anything ?

To: Michail Shadkin who wrote (5114)	8/9/2001 2:09:08 PM
From: Art Baeckel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6873

Stem cell stocks up ahead of decision By Ted Griffith, CBS.MarketWatch.com Last Update: 1:34 PM ET Aug. 9, 2001 NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Shares of companies involved with stem cell research moved sharply higher Thursday ahead of President Bush's scheduled announcement on whether he'll allow federal funding for the promising -- but controversial -- research. It's not known yet what the president's position will be, but some biotechnology analysts and portfolio managers were speculating the president would stop short of imposing the stringent rules that, as a candidate, Bush had said he favored. "I wouldn't be surprised if he settled on a middle-of-the-road compromise and set up a commission to study the issue further," said Joe Duarte, president of River Willow Capital Management, a Dallas-based money management firm. "My guess, and it's only a guess, is that he will give a little on this." Some investors, betting Bush's decision will be favorable to the emerging field, scooped up shares of companies with any ties to stem cell research. Shares of StemCells Inc. (STEM: news, chart, profile) surged $1.23, or 26 percent, to $5.96 and shares of Geron (GERN: news, chart, profile) rose 78 cents, or 6 percent, to $13.68. Shares of Aastrom Biosciences (ASTM: news, chart, profile) posted the biggest percentage gain, rising 58 cents, or 32.4 percent, to $2.37 in recent trading. Last year, then-President Clinton settled on a measure that allowed scientists receiving federal funds to perform research on embryonic stem cells. Under Clinton's plan, federally funded researchers could harvest stem cells from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. During the campaign, Bush had said he would ban altogether the use of federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research. But Bush has spent recent months studying the issue further, meeting with both supporters and opponents, and some observers believe he'll settle on a compromise that leaves an opening for scientists receiving federal funding to continue with the research. Bush is set to announce the highly anticipated decision in a nationally televised address from his Texas ranch at 9 p.m. Eastern time. But experts cautioned Bush could still choose to adopt an all-out federal funding ban, which would be seen as a major blow to the field and companies working with stem cells. Stem cells are immature cells that have the potential to develop into any type of tissue. Theoretically, scientists could use the cells to restore damaged organs and reverse diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's. Stem cell research is, however, only in its early stages and there is no guarantee it will lead to new disease treatments. The embryonic research is also highly controversial because it involves destroying human embryos to get the stem cells. While anticipating a compromise, fund manager Duarte said investors should understand that it's possible Bush could still opt for an outright ban. "These stem cell stocks could get hurt badly if the decision is seen as being negative for the field," said Duarte, a physician by training and the author of a book on biotech investing. Bennett Weintraub, vice president with Btech Investor, a biotech investment and consulting firm, said investors should also realize that stem cell research will not immediately yield breakthroughs in the treatment of disease. He called the field "promising" but said the medical benefits are years away. Weintraub also noted that there are questions about how the stem cell companies will earn profits from their work. "It's a different kind of business model," he said. "It's untested." Weintraub said investors may want to spread out their buying among several stem cell stocks, but he warned against betting heavily on any one company in the field. "It's not clear which company is going to be the winner," Weintraub said. Ted Griffith is a reporter for CBS.MarketWatch.co ART