New Legislative Effort On Stem Cell Research

WASHINGTON – As the first hearing on stem cell research in the House ofRepresentatives since the enactment of the President's restrictive 2001policy commences, Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair DianaDeGette, chief architect of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act,unveiled a new legislative effort on stem cell research. Attendingtoday today's hearing was U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman ofthe Committee on Energy and Commerce, and U.S. Rep. Michael Castle(R-DE), the cosponsor of DeGette's new stem cell legislation.

"Rep. DeGette's leadership on stem cell research has won her therespect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle," said U.S. Rep. JohnD. Dingell, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. "Icommend her dedication and commitment to this issue and I look forwardto working together to protect and improve the health of millions ofAmericans."

"Over the last few years, we have seen breakthroughs that couldn't havebeen predicted ranging from insulin producing islet cells created fromembryonic stem cells to primate embryonic stem cells generated throughsomatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)," said U.S. Rep. DeGette. "Inlight of all the research coming down the pipeline, I am developing newlegislation with Mr. Castle that will lift the ban on federal fundingfor research on embryonic stem cell lines developed after August 2001,direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to construct a frameworkfor ethical oversight of all cell-based research, and ban certainunethical activities in cell research. In order for the United Statesto retain it cutting-edge scientific status, we must make a nationalcommitment to a robust research program."

"I have been deeply involved in working to expand the federal policy onstem cell research over the last several years with my good friendDiana DeGette, and I am encouraged to see the House Energy and CommerceCommittee hold the first House hearing on stem cell research and thefoundation for future cures. Today we heard from leading scientistsabout the great advances in stem cell technology since it was lastdebated in Congress," said U.S. Rep. Castle. "I cannot stress enoughthe promise of stem cell research for alleviating the suffering of the100 million American patients who are living with devastating diseasesfor which there are no good treatments or cures. I am hopeful thatfederal support for all forms of stem cell research will move forwardwith a new president. Stem cell research has been quieted since thePresident's Directive in 2001 and I look forward to working with Rep.DeGette on legislation to promote a federal framework at the NationalInstitutes of Health for all forms of ethical science that couldadvance human health, and to laying the groundwork for a morecomprehensive national stem cell research effort."

"As a mother of a diabetic child, I don't care where a cure comes from– adult or embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells – as long as acure is developed. The difference between embryonic and adult stem cellresearch is like the difference between the forest and the trees. Adult stem cell research is teaching us much about a few trees, but thepotential that lies within embryonic stem cell research might allow usto see the whole forest of earth shattering medical advancement,"concluded DeGette.