Talking Points

· The bipartisan DeGette-Castle bill increases the number of embryonic stem cell lines eligible to be used for federally-funded research. The bill authorizes HHS to support research involving embryonic stem cells meeting certain criteria, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from an embryo. Current policy allows federal funds to be used for research on only those stem cell lines that existed when President Bush issued an executive order on August 9, 2001.

· The bill only authorizes the use of stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. The bill has strict ethical guidelines, including stipulating that embryos can be used only if the donors give their written consent and receive no money or other inducement in exchange for the embryos.

· Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to unlock the doors to treatments and cures to numerous diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.

Expanding embryonic stem cell research has strong bipartisan support.

· Expanding embryonic stem cell research is supported by 72 percent of Americans. [Opinion Research Corporation]

· Embryonic stem cell research is supported by such key Republicans as Sen. John McCain, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and former First Lady Nancy Reagan.

· Embryonic stem cell research is supported by more than 500 organizations, including the Parkinson’s Action Network, American Medical Association, AARP, Association of American Medical Colleges, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Few of the stem cell lines authorized by President Bush in 2001 are now useful for research.

· According to the National Institutes of Health, of the 78 stem cell lines that were declared eligible for federal funding in the President’s executive order of August 2001, only 21 lines are now still available for researchers. And many of these 21 “available” stem cell lines are contaminated with “mouse feeder” cells, making their therapeutic use for humans uncertain.

Embryonic stem cells are uniquely promising for certain treatments – unmatched by adult stem cells.

· As former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who first opposed the DeGette-Castle bill and now supports it, has pointed out, “I strongly believe…that embryonic stem cells uniquely hold specific promise for some therapies and potential cures that adult stem cells cannot provide.”

· As the American Association for the Advancement of Science has argued, we owe it to those with serious illnesses to vigorously pursue both adult stem cell and embryonic stem cell research – which both can provide important and different benefits to millions of patients.