Duckworth Calls For Support of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Duckworth Calls For Support of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Tammy Duckworth, candidate for Congress in Illinois' 6th district, called today for support of embryonic stem cell research, as she pledged to work to lift current federal bans which prohibit scientists from taking advantage of the benefits offered by such research and endorsed a key piece of legislation that could open the door to further advances.

The issue is one of sharp contrast between Duckworth and her opponent, state Sen. Peter Roskam, who has consistently opposed embryonic stem cell research, despite the scientific potential it offers in helping patients with a range of illnesses and serious medical conditions.

"This is a fight to help people live longer, healthier lives. If I am elected to Congress, it's a fight I intend to wage," said Duckworth, who pointed out that stem cell research has shown promise in leading to treatments for people with diabetes, Azheimer's disease, brain injuries, Parkinson's disease, ALS and other conditions.

Duckworth made her comments today at a press conference at the University of Illinois-Chicago. UIC is among a handful of sites locally where stem cell research is being conducted, due in part to grants from the state of Illinois. She was joined there advocates for patients whose lives could be improved through advances made using stem cell research.

During the press conference, Duckworth announced her support of legislation now pending in Congress that would expand federal support for such research, despite restrictions imposed by President Bush in 2001. The bill, HR 810, would allow federal funding for research using stem cells derived from embryos originally created for fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients. The cells would likely be discarded if not used for any other purpose.

HR 810 passed the House last year. However, Bush has promised to veto the bill if it reaches his desk. The bill is still about 50 votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has promised that legislation on stem cells would be brought before the Senate this summer, but has refused to announce whether HR 810 (or its Senate companion bill, S 471) would be brought up for a vote.

Duckworth pointed out that the president's ban—which essentially limits scientists to using only cells derived from 22 lines of cells in existence nearly five years ago— represents an enormous restriction on researchers. She added that scientists are in wide agreement that biomedical research is unlikely to flourish without the support of the federal government, and that the U.S. scientific community and biomedical field are in danger of falling behind the rest of the world.

"President Bush should leave the issue of stem cell research to the scientists," she said. "If he won't, then we need members of Congress who will step in and stand up for science."

The issue highlights a sharp contrast between the two candidates in the 6th district race. Duckworth's opponent, state Sen. Peter Roskam, has been outspoken opponent of government support of embryonic stem cell research, and has often spoken out against such work.

Roskam's votes include his opposition in May 2004 to legislation that would have state policy establishing that research using embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells would be permitted, although the research would be reviewed by an institutional review board.

This was followed by his vote in November 2004 against "The Ronald Reagan Biomedical Research Act." At the time, the Chicago Tribune described the bill that Roskam opposed as a largely symbolic measure supporting "privately-funded stem-cell research" (Tribune, 11/24/04).

In 2005, he voiced opposition to a proposed ballot asking voters whether they supported an initiative establishing the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute Act. This year, Roskam was among a group of state Senators who threatened to block passage of the entire state budget if it included any funding for stem cell research.

In contrast to her opponent, Duckworth said: "we need more people in Congress who will increase scientists' access to new stem lines-- not simply more politicians who will merely take a hard line."

She said that she would fight "on behalf of the people around the 6th district who have a mother or father, a son or daughter, or a friend, co-worker or neighbor whose life hangs in the balance."

Duckworth pointed out that, at the federal level, the issue of stem cell lines now transcends party lines, and that supporters of HR 810 include some lawmakers—such as Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)—who are staunchly conservative on other issues. Other prominent Republicans include Nancy Reagan, who advocates stem cell research as a vehicle to combat Alzheimer's Disease.

Even some of Roskam's closest allies in the Illinois General Assembly have changed their views on the issue, and have come to support such research, she added.

Among the advocates scheduled to join Duckworth on Tuesday were Rosemary Jaffe, the Illinois advocacy leader for the American Diabetes Association. Also in attendance were Teresa Pedroza and her 7-year old son, Danny— representing parents and children who are members of the Children's Neurological Solutions Foundation.

http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/newsroom_details.asp?id=877