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Contact Your Senator to Urge Support for Stem Cell Research
Senate Set to Consider Stem Cell Legislation Following House Passage of Bill; Please Contact Your Senator Now! The new congressional leadership has made consideration of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act one of the first acts of the 110th Congress. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 3/S. 5) was introduced in both the House and Senate in early January and the House approved H.R. 3 on January 11 by a 253 to 174 vote. The Senate is set to consider the legislation in February. It is critical that all members of the Senate hear from constituents about the importance of passing this legislation. To send a letter to your Member of Congress, simply click the "Take Action" button below. ASH's on-line advocacy system identifies your Member of Congress for you and provides the message. We encourage you to customize the message to your Member of Congress 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. We also encourage you to forward this message to colleagues and friends to increase participation. If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact Tracy Becker, ASH Research Advocacy Manager, at tbecker@hematology.org or (202) 776-0544.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I urge you to support the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5). 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. As a hematologist, I support the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5) 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. 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 more than 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; the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act 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 the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5). Please contact me if I can provide additional information to you.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
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, there are only 22 embryonic stem cell lines that are available to researchers, and they have been found to be contaminated with mouse cells or mouse cell products. The President's policy has proven too limiting, 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 (H.R. 3/S. 5) was introduced in the House and Senate in early January. In the House, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Mike Castle (R-DE), introduced their bill along with over 30 cosponsors, while Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced the same bill in the Senate along with 30 bipartisan colleagues. The House approved H.R. 3 on January 11 by a 253 to 174 vote and the Senate is set to consider the legislation in February.
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 legislation is identical to legislation passed in the last Congress by both the House and the Senate, but vetoed by President Bush.
ASH's policy in support of all avenues of stem cell research is available online.
