Stem Cell Research

STEM CELL RESEARCH

(Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks and include therein extraneous material.)

Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Stem cell research holds the potential to improve the lives of millions of Americans suffering from diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. I believe we should do all we can to support this research, and it is why I am so frustrated at the Bush administration's attempts to stop it.

NIH said that U.S. scientists are falling behind because of the Bush 2001 limitations on stem cell research. Elizabeth Nable of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute said, ``Because U.S. researchers who depend on Federal funds lack access to newer human embryonic stem cell lines, they are at a technological disadvantage relative to researchers funded by California, as well as investigators in Asia and Europe.

My home State of California has already moved ahead of the Federal Government by establishing the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which will devote $3 billion to embryonic stem cell research over the next 10 years.

This bill is a modest proposal compared to California's, but it is still an important step; and that is why it is supported by all the major educational research institutions in California.

I include their letter of support in the RECORD. Let us not drive this research overseas.

May 19, 2005.
Hon. ZOE LOFGREN,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE LOFGREN: We are writing to express our support for changing federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research to allow an expansion in available cell lines. As you probably know, a vote on legislation that would alter current policy is expected in the coming weeks, and we urge your `'Yes'' vote.

Embryonic stem cells hold the potential for new cures and therapies for an array of life-threatening diseases affecting millions of Americans across the nation. This potential will be enhanced by the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810), introduced by Representatives Michael Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) and co-sponsored by more than 200 members of the House of Representatives.

The Castle-DeGette bill would expand current policy to allow federal funding for research with stem cell lines discovered after the mandated August 9, 2001, cut-off date as well as lines derived in the future. With regard to future stem cell lines, the bill applies only to lines derived from days-old blastocysts that otherwise would be discarded from in vitro fertilization clinics, but that instead are voluntarily donated to research by consenting individuals, without compensation. Further, this legislation would ensure the development of ethical guidelines for research with embryonic stem cell lines.

California has moved ahead by establishing the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which will devote $3 billion to embryonic stem cell research over the next ten years. The provisions within H.R. 810 are more restrictive than those of the California Initiative; however, H.R. 810 is crucial because it will make a significant difference to nationwide federal research programs. This expansion in policy will further facilitate and accelerate the research conducted in our state.

When the current federal embryonic stem cell research policy went into effect in 2001, the notion was that 78 cell lines would be available for research. Currently, only 22 are actually available to researchers; many others have been found unsuitable. Furthermore, a number of the available lines are entangled with commercial interests making the cells too expensive or impossible for NIH-funded investigators to obtain. For these reasons, the existing embryonic stem cell lines do not provide a sufficient supply to advance the research to its full potential.

Embryonic stem cells offer the potential to reverse diseases and disabilities experienced by millions of Americans. Stem cell research is still very new. Thus, we have a collective responsibility--scientists, university leaders, and government leaders--to support the exploration of the promising possibilities of both embryonic and adult stem cell research for curing and preventing disease.

Please support scientific advancement and the possibility of new cures by voting ``Yes'' on H.R. 810 to expand federal stem cell research policy.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Dynes,

President, University of California.

Steven B. Sample,

President, University of Southern California.

David Baltimore,

President, California Institute of Technology.

John L. Hennessy,

President, Stanford University.

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