Bipartisan Stem Cell Plan Will Expand Federal Leadership

Bipartisan Stem Cell Plan Will Expand Federal Leadership

WASHINGTON, DC - WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement after introducing the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810) today with Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE):

I want to thank Senators Specter and Harkin and Representative Castle for their hard work and dedication to advancing embryonic stem cell research.

A century ago, our nation entered a new age of scientific and medical discovery. This was fueled in part by the newly created National Institutes of Health. Even in the gilded age, Americans recognized that they needed government to help fund, coordinate and set ethical standards and accountability for our burgeoning scientific community. Thanks to their vision, our government has harnessed the talents of tens of thousands of scientists. As a result, our nation is the world leader in medical research. Our discoveries have literally given new life to millions of people around the world and continue to give hope to millions more.

Today, however, our leadership in medical research is in doubt. The NIH has been forced to sit on the sidelines as embryonic stem cell research - one of today's most promising areas of medical science - progresses. Because of President Bush's restrictive stem cell policy, scientists face two choices: either compete for the very limited private funding that does not restrict access to stem cell lines or accept federal support and use only the 22 contaminated lines created before August 9, 2001.

The Bush policy is creating a Wild West-era of science. In this new era, there is no coordinated sharing of information, no ethical or community standards and no federal controls on research. This is unacceptable. Embryonic stem cell research holds immense potential. However, it relies on techniques that must be very strictly regulated. Only the federal government has the moral and political authority to do this. That is why our legislation places strict controls on stem cell research supported by NIH. We require written, informed consent and a ban on financial inducements for any couples seeking to donate embryos for science. This re-affirms our respect for life and our desire to expand scientific knowledge.

Americans of all stripes - conservative and liberal, Republican and Democrat - want government to oversee medical research. They understand that only the federal government can establish ethical guidelines. Only it can impose the strict controls so that medical discoveries will be made and cures will be found without compromising our core values. That is why there is overwhelming support for embryonic stem cell research under federal guidance. Our legislation brings millions of Americans closer to a cure and furthers the culture of life we all embrace by preserving the strict controls that only NIH can impose.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/050216.html