Congresswoman Susan Davis Votes to Restore Stem Cell Research

CONGRESSWOMAN SUSAN DAVIS VOTES TO RESTORE STEM CELL RESEARCH

Congresswoman Susan Davis voted to significantly expand federal funding for stem cell research when she voted for the DeGette-Castle Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 3).

"The passage of this legislation instills hope for those who stand to benefit from this critical research," said Davis, an original cosponsor of the bill. "The vote today sends the message that Congress will fight for the latest research. The U.S. is a leader in innovation and technology. The President's current policy hinders our nation's ability to continue to be that leader and compete worldwide on this issue."

The DeGette-Castle bill would expand the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research by lifting the restrictions on the embryonic stem cell lines which can be used for federally-funded research - restrictions that were imposed by President Bush in 2001.

Most of the stem cell lines authorized for federally-funded research under the President's policy are now no longer useful for research. However, the bill only authorizes federal research funds for stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics.
The DeGette-Castle bill also creates an ethical framework that must be followed in conducting this research under the guidance of the National Institutes of Health.

http://www.house.gov/susandavis/press/pr011107stemcell.html