41.   Patient groups argue that laws are needed to prevent cost-conscious insurance companies from cutting corners, denying referrals and withholding needed care.

42.   But such retrospective studies are valued less by researchers than prospective ones, where each patient group gets exactly the same care.

43.   He is under pressure from patient groups that favor the research and opponents who feel the work is inherently unethical.

44.   In both patient groups, just over one-fourth died and an additional one-third ended up in a vegetative state or severely disabled.

45.   It was supported by the private contractor and many transplant hospitals but fiercely opposed by the administration, some patient groups and other hospitals.

46.   Patient groups favor such research because of its breakthrough potential in treating diseases, while anti-abortion groups and others call such work unethical because it entails destroying the embryos.

47.   Sansom said the British government provides subsidies under similar conditions and to similar patient groups as Pfizer has requested in Australia.

48.   The issue has been subject to an intense battle among transplant centers and patient groups, which have aggressively lobbied Congress.