DeGette Statement On Supreme Court’s Decision Not To Take Up Stem Cell Challenge

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1), Congress's leading advocate for ethical embryonic stem cell (ESC) research issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to reject a challenge to government funding of ESC.

"Today is a great day for millions of Americans looking to the promise of ethical embryonic stem cell research to treat or even cure their disease. I am extremely pleased that with this decision, scores of researchers across the country finally have the stability and continuity to conduct their critical research, without the lingering threat of this Court case. However, the uncertainty generated by this lawsuit for patients and scientists has demonstrated again and again over the past few years how political gamesmanship and ideology can interrupt the path of stem cell discovery.

"The potential and promise of ethical embryonic stem cell research is too important for too many patients across our nation to leave it vulnerable to the whims of Washington and extreme agendas. Therefore, as we begin the 113th Congress, I will work tirelessly to pass legislation codifying these federal guidelines, and once and for all remove uncertainty for researchers and the patients who await their life-saving discoveries."

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