Research!America Asks Congress to Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Introduction

Research!America calls on Congress to take legislative action that will allow federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research to proceed, in light of U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth's refusal yesterday to lift his recent injunction on federally funded research using embryonic stem cell research.

Main Item

Research!America strongly supports the Stem Cell Research Advancement Act (H.R. 4808) introduced in March 2010 by Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Mike Castle (R-DE) that would allow federal funding for ethical research using human embryonic stem cells.

Research!America's chair, former Illinois Congressman John Edward Porter, said;

"Diana DeGette and Mike Castle continue to lead this issue. They have a bill in the House now that would bring a clear legislative solution and allow embryonic stem cell research to move forward without further legal challenges or shifts in the political landscape. It is absolutely critical that Congress pass this legislation quickly to minimize the devastating scientific and economic consequences of the current injunction. The timeline for potential new treatments for millions of patients has been thrown into limbo, and American jobs and even entire labs are at risk. To date the NIH has invested $546 million in human embryonic stem cell research, and much of the return on that investment will be lost if this research cannot move forward."

Research!America's president and CEO Mary Woolley added;

"Human embryonic stem cell research offers hope to millions suffering from disease and disability in the U.S. and around the world. An August 2010 Research!America poll found that fully 70% of Americans favor expanded federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells. What this shows is that support for embryonic stem cell research goes even beyond patients and their families to include the broad majority of Americans. If enough of our elected members of Congress hear from that majority, they will take action. Contact your Senators and Representative and ask them to support legislation allowing federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Research!America's Your Candidates-Your Health voter education initiative is a good place to start."

Research!America

Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, Research!America is supported by member organizations representing 125 million Americans.

Related Information

• New Ethical Framework Introduced for Stem Cell-Based Embryo Research: A groundbreaking code of practice has been introduced for the use of stem cell-based embryo models in research.
• Adult Stem Cells Convert into Embryonic-like Stem Cells: Neural stem cells can take on the characteristics of embryonic stem cells with the addition of a single transcription factor.
• Embryonic Stem Cell Trials Approved by FDA: The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of embryonic stem cells in human trials for the first time.
• New Guidelines for Stem Cell Research: The stem cell controversy has ruffled the Congress State Legislatures President Bush and the whole of the United Nations.
• UCSF Closer to Creating Safe Embryonic like Stem Cells: Embryonic stem cells have the capacity to become any cell type in the body.
• China Leads the Way in Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy Despite Skepticism: China becoming world leader in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine despite world skepticism of stem cell therapies.
• Action to Reverse Judicial Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ban: Congressman CSHL president urge quick action to reverse judicial embryonic stem cell research ban.

Attribution/Source(s):
This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Research!America, and published on 2010/09/11 (Edit Update: 2024/07/04), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Research!America can be contacted at researchamerica.org. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.