Call to Congress: Pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act Soon
WASHINGTON—March 9, 2009—Research!America's Chair, The Honorable John Edward Porter, and President and CEO, Mary Woolley, responded to President Obama's executive order today overturning the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research:
"Research!America applauds the president's action to lift restrictions that for eight years have slowed research to explore the potential of embryonic stem cells to halt and even reverse disease and disability," Porter said. "President Obama's executive order will allow this field of research to proceed. For progress to continue, Congress must quickly pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 873/S. 487) recently re-introduced in the House by Rep. Diana DeGette (CO) and in the Senate by Sen. Tom Harkin (IA)."
Woolley said, "Twice previously and in a strongly bipartisan fashion, Congress passed identical legislation to broaden federal policy on embryonic stem cell research, but the legislation was vetoed both times by President Bush, most recently in 2007. We urge Congress to act now and make 2009 the year that stem cell research can begin to deliver on the expectations of scientists and the hopes of the public.
"From polls commissioned by Research!America and others, we know that the majority of Americans support embryonic stem cell research. Similarly, the scientific community widely believes that embryonic stem cells have the potential to help us understand and develop new treatments for some of the deadliest and most debilitating diseases we face, including diabetes, cancer and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
"With this action from the administration and the accompanying legislation we expect from Congress, our officials in Washington have the historic opportunity of opening a highly promising field of science to faster progress, for the benefit of all Americans."
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Visit www.researchamerica.org.
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