Statement on H.R. 810, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

Statement on H.R. 810, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

May 24, 2005

Washington, D.C.---U.S. Representative Tom Allen issue the following statement on H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, approved today by the House:

"Stem cell research holds out the promise of finding cures and treatments for a wide range of diseases. Under 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. I voted in favor of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which would lift that restriction, allowing stem cell lines derived after that date to be eligible for federally funded research. Importantly, this legislation institutes strong ethical requirements on stem cell lines.

"H.R. 810 would help to accelerate scientific process to finding cures and treatments for a wide range of diseases and debilitating health conditions. Through their work with fetal tissue, researchers hope to find ways to harness embryonic stem cells which have the ability to become any type of human cell and could provide new treatments for many illnesses. I do not believe that Congress or the Administration should prohibit the medical community from pursuing a promising avenue of research that may improve the lives of millions of Americans."

http://www.tomallen.house.gov/showart.asp?contentID=1575&IssueID=1&ID=