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Contact Your Senators TODAY to Urge Support for Stem Cell Research (H.R. 810)
Momentous Political Vote on Stem Cell Research Scheduled in US Senate Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) recently announced plans to bring a vote to the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810). Debate is expected to begin as early as this week. It is critical that all US Senators hear from constituents the importance of passing H.R. 810. The Senate will vote on a three-bill package that includes H.R. 810 as well as the proposed Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act (S. 2754), and the proposed Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006 (S. 3504). The other bills were included to allow some Senators to vote for a stem cell bill without passing H.R. 810. The research community believes that a vote for the other bills will absolutely NOT be sufficient and that a Senator's vote will only be acceptable if he/she votes for H.R. 810. Senate passage of H.R. 810 will ensure that the bill is sent to the President to be signed into law. To send a letter to your Senators, simply click the "Take Action" button below. ASH's on-line advocacy system identifies your Senators for you and provides the message. We encourage you to customize the message to your Senators as much as possible, emphasizing (1) your positive feelings about embryonic stem cell research, and (2) how expanding this research beyond the number of currently approved lines will benefit patients. If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact the ASH Government Relations and Practice Department at grassroots@hematology.org or (202) 776-0544.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I urge you to support the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810). This legislation expands current policy by providing for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research on lines derived after August 9, 2001, and requires strong ethical guidelines on stem cell lines that are eligible for federally-funded research. Although, two other stem cell bills will also be considered, a vote in favor of HR 810 is most critical. A vote against HR 810 is unacceptable. As a hematologist, I support HR 810 because I am interested in expanding the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research to allow scientists to explore the full promise of this field. The other two bills included in the Senate package will not change or allow/ban anything that is not already allowed/banned. From a purely scientific perspective, with more human embryonic stem cell lines available for federal funding, there will be new opportunities for scientific advancement that will potentially benefit patients. Embryonic stem cell research could make a major difference in the fight against many blood and blood-related diseases, in addition to cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries. Investigation into the transplantability and differentiation of embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to the next generation of important therapies for a broad range of intractable diseases. After five years under President Bush's restrictive federal policy, there are only 22 embryonic stem cell lines available for federal funding. Research in this area has slowed to pace that is unacceptable; HR 810 will reinvigorate embryonic stem cell research in this country for the benefit of patients who are suffering. The current federal embryonic stem cell research policy needs to expand to help researchers find treatments and cures for over 100 million Americans who suffer from many deadly and debilitating diseases. I urge your support of HR 810. Please contact me if I can provide additional information to you.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
Help ASH Advocate for Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
On August 9, 2001, the Bush Administration announced a policy to permit limited funding of embryonic stem cell research, by allowing federal funds to only be used for research on embryonic stem cell lines derived prior to the date of the President's announcement. At the time, several scientists advised President Bush that there were about 60 viable cell lines in existence and they would be sufficient for investigators to advance the embryonic stem cell field. However, in 2005, there are only 22 embryonic stem cell lines that available to researchers, and they have been found to be contaminated with mouse cells or mouse cell products. The President's policy has proven restrictive, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) now admits that expanding this policy will help speed embryonic stem cell research initiatives.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810) was introduced in the House and Senate on February 16, 2005. In the House, Representatives Mike Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), introduced their bill along with over 150 cosponsors, while Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the same bill in the Senate along with four bipartisan colleagues, Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). This legislation provides for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research on lines derived after August 9, 2001, and requires strong ethical guidelines on stem cell lines that are eligible for federally-funded research.
The bill states that no federal funds will be used to derive stem cells or destroy early-stage embryos. In addition, it directs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to support appropriate research on stem cell lines derived from early-stage embryos that also meet the following criteria: originally created for fertility treatment purposes and are in excess of clinical need; would otherwise be discarded; and, the individuals for whom the embryos were created have provided written consent for embryo donation.
The House of Representatives approved HR 810 by a 238 to 194 vote on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. On Friday, July 29, 2005, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, MD (R-TN), provided a huge boost to embryonic stem cell research supporters by announcing his support for HR 810.
On October 21, 2005, Senator Specter reached an agreement with Majority Leader Frist to postpone Senate debate on HR 810 until early next year when the bill can be a priority item for the Senate to consider. Until this agreement was achieved, Senator Specter was working to force a vote on HR 810 before Congress adjourned for the year.
In the Senate, opponents of embryonic stem cell research made significant efforts to delay a vote on HR 810. A year after the House of Representatives passed HR 810, the Senate has finally agreed to have a floor debate on three stem cell research bills, including the House-passed measure (H.R. 810).
Now it is critical that embryonic stem cell research supporters contact their Senators to urge approval of HR 810.
