Stem cell bill will unleash promising biomedical research
July 17th, 2006
HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, is the one bill that, at long last, will unleash some of the most exciting and promising biomedical research of modern times.
But it’s not just us members of Congress who are saying that. Last week, Senator Specter and I sent a letter to the National Institutes of Health, asking their top scientists for their thoughts on stem cell research. Every single one of them said that embryonic stem cell research offers enormous potential.
Here’s what Dr. Elias Zerhouni, the NIH director, said: “Embryonic stem cell research holds great promise for treating, curing, and improving our understanding of disease.�
And this is from Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, the director of the heart institute: “Embryonic stem cell research has vast potential for addressing critical health needs.�
These scientists also agree that the research would move faster if the President’s restrictions were lifted.
Dr. James Battey, the director of the NIH stem cell task force, wrote: “The scientific community would be best served by having a greater number of human embryonic stem cell lines available for study.�
Added Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the drug abuse institute: “Access to a wider array of embryonic stem cell lines would definitely increase scientific opportunity and the chances of breakthrough discoveries.�
My nephew, Kelly, is one of those people whose hopes depend on stem cell research. He has been a quadriplegic for 27 years, since suffering a spinal cord injury in a tragic accident on an aircraft carrier during his time in the U.S. Navy. Kelly’s great hope is that embryonic stem cell research will lead to a breakthrough that might allow him to walk again. Every time I talk to Kelly, he asks me: When is the Senate going to be allowed to vote on HR 810?
Well, after more than a year of prayers and pressure, Kelly and millions of other Americans suffering from disease and paralysis may get their wish.
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