House Resolution Would Made Stem Cell Research A Public Health Matter

Even Bush’s own National Institute of Health director believes in more stem cell research.House Resolution Would Make Stem Cell Research A Public Health MatterBy Cliff Montgomery – June 8th, 2007Today on the House floor, Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) started off a debate on a House resolution which, if passed, will “amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.”No less a medical expert than Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, the director of the Bush Administration’s own National Institute of Health (NIH), the nation’s medical research agency, has gone on government record as saying that “the Nation would be better served if we let our scientists have access to more cell lines that they can study.”Top medical organizations like the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas openly agree with the NIH director’s educated opinion.These people certainly better know the medical issues of stem cell research–its risks, its benefits to all human beings–than George W. Bush. And it’s clear that they better understand any moral question than the career politican who once asked an America outraged over his handling of war prisoners to “define torture.”We therefore quote from Rep. Matsui’s speech below:“Mr. Speaker, today’s debate on stem cell research should be about the hope of science. It should be about how our society has always valued ethical medical research.”Many Americans awoke this morning to a news story about a potential new stem cell research technique using skin cells from mice. It was on the front page of many newspapers precisely because our society values hope and scientific advancement when done in an ethical manner.”The bill made in order under this rule maintains that tradition. With the House’s approval, expanded Federal embryonic stem cell research again will be one signature away from becoming law.”Mr. Speaker, we already know that embryonic stem cell research has a potential to cure many debilitating conditions like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord damage, and maybe even bone marrow failure. These ailments affect the young and the old, the rich and the poor.”Families from all walks of life have had firsthand experiences with these tragedies. Sad but true, disease is one of life’s great equalizers. Research and medical ingenuity are our society’s tools to fight these diseases.”This shared experience, the hope that stem cell research brings, may be one reason why it enjoys such bipartisan support. Polls indicate that three out of every five Americans support stem cell research, including 54 percent of Republicans.”But there are many other reasons to endorse expanded Federal stem cell research. Earlier this year, Congress and the world heard support from an unexpected source. In testimony before Congress on March 19, the Director of the NIH made a high-profile break with the administration on [its] shortsighted stem cell policy. He said: ‘It is clear today that American science would be better served and the Nation would be better served if we let our scientists have access to more cell lines that they can study.'”The United States has always led the effort to push the frontiers of medical research. But as the NIH Director’s testimony indicates, Mr. Speaker, on this issue the United States is falling behind for no good scientific or moral reason.”His testimony is in line with the consensus within the wider scientific community as well. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, the UC Davis Medical Center in my hometown of Sacramento, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in my colleague’s district, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, all of these and hundreds of others supportethical embryonic stem cell research.”Mr. Speaker, it is abundantly clear that we must update our national stem cell research policy. A bipartisan majority in Congress has tried several times. Last year, both Chambers voted by wide bipartisan margins to expand ethical Federal stem cell research. Unfortunately, the President blocked that progress, that hope, that good science. But his veto only delays the issue temporarily because support for this responsible research continues to grow.”Earlier this year, the new Democratic majority acted swiftly to reconsider the issue. The bill before us is a result of that bipartisan, bicameral leadership; and it passed by a greater margin than in the last Congress.”We should act now to forward that proposal on to the President. We should give him another chance to do what is right by signing this bill into law.”Mr. Speaker, there is little disagreement about the science of stem cell research or what ethical rules should govern it, so let’s stop delaying a commonsense proposal. I urge all Members to support this rule and the underlying legislation.”Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!