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Action Needed Now--Help ASH Advocate for Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810)
Update on Stem Cell Legislation July 19, 2006 – By a vote of 63 to 37, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 810, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Having passed the House last year, the bill now will be sent to President Bush to sign into law. Unfortunately, despite support from both the House and Senate and about 70 percent of the American public, the president is expected to use his veto authority for the first time on this bill. ASH has learned that President Bush may veto this early this afternoon and then issue a statement to the Congress by mid-afternoon. To override a veto, there needs to be a 2/3 majority vote in both the House and Senate. The House is expected to vote as early as this afternoon and is not expected to override. If this is the case, the Senate will not vote. ASH Members have been vocal advocates in support of H.R. 810. The ASH Grassroots Network helped in the effort to pass this bill in the House of Representatives, secure the vote in the Senate, and pass it in the Senate. Research advocates are being asked to call the White House, even after the President's announcement to let President Bush know the importance of H.R. 810 and our disappointment if this is not enacted into law. There are 3 different numbers available: In addition, advocates need to contact members of the House now and ask them to continue the Congressional commitment to cures and to vote for HR 810 and override the veto. Given the time constraint, you can call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Member of Congress or e-mail through the ASH Advocacy Center.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , As a hematologist, I write to urge you to support the override of the President's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810). This legislation expands current policy by providing for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research on lines derived after August 9, 2001 and it requires strong ethical guidelines for research. Hematologists have pioneered the field of stem cell research for over 40 years with innovative discoveries about adult bone marrow stem cells and how they could be used to cure human diseases. Today, hematologists are poised to contribute to research on embryonic stem cells that has the potential to lead to the next generation of important therapies for a broad range of intractable diseases. 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. After five years under the current 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. Again, I urge you to support this bill. 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.
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.
