Advocacy
Where we are today
PAN, along with the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, is supporting an incremental measure to expand ethical embryonic stem cell research. The provision, offered by Senator Harkin and Senator Specter, was added to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill, which is expected on the Senate floor the week of October 15, 2007.
The provision simply moves the date of the current federal policy on stem cell research from August 9, 2001, to June 15, 2007, while retaining the strong ethical guidelines contained in S. 5. PAN’s support of this provision does not diminish our efforts to override the President’s veto and enact S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
Read PAN’s endorsement of the Senate date change strategy.
110th Congress History:
On January 11, 2007, the U.S.
House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, legislation to expand embryonic
stem cell research, by a vote of 253-174, with eight Members not
voting. The Senate voted on the companion bill, S. 5, on April 11,
2007, by a vote of 63-34 with three Senators not voting. S.5 passed the
House of Representatives June 7, 2007 by a vote of 247-176 with ten
members not voting. The president vetoed S. 5 on June 20, 2007.
Issues Summary
The bipartisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 3/ S. 5 expands the number of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines that are eligible for federally funded research, thereby accelerating scientific progress toward treatments and cures for a wide range of diseases and debilitating health conditions.
Under the current federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research, only those stem cell lines derived before August 9, 2001, are eligible for federally funded research. This bill lifts that restriction. Stem cell lines shall be eligible for federally funded research regardless of the date on which they were derived.
The bill also institutes stronger ethical requirements on stem cell lines that are eligible for federally funded research.
Why is hESC research important for people with Parkinson’s?
Embryonic stem cell research has significant scientific and therapeutic potential for people living with Parkinson’s disease. While replacement of human dopamine producing neurons may be one therapy resulting from additional embryonic stem cell research, many avenues of Parkinson’s research will benefit from this legislation and expansion of the current policy. Researchers will be aided in studying the causes of Parkinson’s, developing more accurate models to improve our understanding of the disease, and, ultimately, halt the unrelenting neurological degeneration and loss of quality of life for Parkinson’s patients.
What is in vitro fertilization (IVF ) and what does it have to do with stem cells?
Everything. Embryonic stem cells are derived from in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos that are developed in excess of those needed for the process to allow infertile couples to have children. The IVF process results in more embryos than are needed by the couple. There are estimated to be more than 400,000 IVF embryos, which are currently frozen and will likely be destroyed if not donated, with informed consent and no compensation, for research.
What options are available to couples who have just participated in the IVF process, who most likely have excess embryo? Disposal or freezing for future use. Some clinics offer the additional options of embryo adoption or donation to limited private research. Faced with this decision, many couples would prefer to donate their embryos to research. Unfortunately, this option is currently very restricted.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act allows federally-funded scientists the ability to do research on privately-derived stem cell lines created from embryos couples donated to help alleviate pain and suffering from disease, illness, and injury. No federal dollars would go to the destruction of embryos, as the stem cell lines are derived privately.
FAQs
What is contained in S.5?
S.5 The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
Why are embryonic stem cells so promising?
The Promise of Embryonic Stem Cells
Can’t we use an alternative method that doesn’t destroy the embryo?
Alternatives - No Substitute
Can’t private enterprise do this research? Why do we need the federal government involved?
Why NIH is Best Suited
Who supports embryonic stem cell research?
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