Statement on Dismissal of Stem Cell Research Lawsuit

Statement

Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1), Congress's leading voice on ethical embryonic stem cell (ESC) research issued the following statement in response to U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth's decision to dismiss the Sherley v. Sebelius lawsuit challenging federal funding of ESC research.

"Today is a good day for millions of Americans looking to the promise of ethical embryonic stem cell research to treat or even cure their disease. As the Appeals Court ruled in April, a decade's worth of work and literature has established the acceptability of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I applaud Judge Lamberth's decision to dismiss the case, relying upon the Appeals Court ruling that recognized the life-saving potential of this research.

"I am extremely pleased that with this decision, scores of researchers across the country have the stability and continuity to conduct their critical research. However, the lawsuit's impact over the past year demonstrated once again how political gamesmanship can suddenly interrupt the path of stem cell discovery. The potential and promise of ethical embryonic stem cell research is too important for too many patients across our nation to leave it vulnerable to the whims of Washington and extreme agendas. Therefore, I promise to continue to work tirelessly to pass legislation codifying these federal guidelines, and once and for all remove uncertainty for researchers and the patients who await their life-saving discoveries."

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