New Legislative Effort on Stem Cell Research

Statement

As the first hearing on stem cell research in the House of Representatives since the enactment of the President's restrictive 2001 policy commences, Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette, chief architect of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, unveiled a new legislative effort on stem cell research. Attending today today's hearing was U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and U.S. Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE), the cosponsor of DeGette's new stem cell legislation.

"Rep. DeGette's leadership on stem cell research has won her the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle," said U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. "I commend her dedication and commitment to this issue and I look forward to working together to protect and improve the health of millions of Americans."

"Over the last few years, we have seen breakthroughs that couldn't have been predicted ranging from insulin producing islet cells created from embryonic stem cells to primate embryonic stem cells generated through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)," said U.S. Rep. DeGette. "In light of all the research coming down the pipeline, I am developing new legislation with Mr. Castle that will lift the ban on federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines developed after August 2001, direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to construct a framework for ethical oversight of all cell-based research, and ban certain unethical activities in cell research. In order for the United States to retain it cutting-edge scientific status, we must make a national commitment to a robust research program."

"I have been deeply involved in working to expand the federal policy on stem cell research over the last several years with my good friend Diana DeGette, and I am encouraged to see the House Energy and Commerce Committee hold the first House hearing on stem cell research and the foundation for future cures. Today we heard from leading scientists about the great advances in stem cell technology since it was last debated in Congress," said U.S. Rep. Castle. "I cannot stress enough the promise of stem cell research for alleviating the suffering of the 100 million American patients who are living with devastating diseases for which there are no good treatments or cures. I am hopeful that federal support for all forms of stem cell research will move forward with a new president. Stem cell research has been quieted since the President's Directive in 2001 and I look forward to working with Rep. DeGette on legislation to promote a federal framework at the National Institutes of Health for all forms of ethical science that could advance human health, and to laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive national stem cell research effort."

"As a mother of a diabetic child, I don't care where a cure comes from - adult or embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells - as long as a cure is developed. The difference between embryonic and adult stem cell research is like the difference between the forest and the trees. Adult stem cell research is teaching us much about a few trees, but the potential that lies within embryonic stem cell research might allow us to see the whole forest of earth shattering medical advancement," concluded DeGette.

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