Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 17, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2005

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation, which expands stem cell research and ensures that the Federal Government can implement ethical guidelines. This bill will provide hope and opportunity for millions of Americans suffering from chronic and life threatening health conditions. This legislation will also ensure that the Federal Government can implement ethical guidelines over this research.

On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time, Federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding was to be limited to "existing stem cell lines where the life and death decision has already been made." Prior to this decision, no Federal funds had been used to support research on stem cells derived from either embryos or fetal tissue. Previous experiments involving stem cells were conducted privately, with no ovesight or public input.

I believe that the expansion of funding to stem cell research is an effective way of moving this science forward. Stem cells offer remarkable potential contributions to medical science and improve the lives of millions of people who suffer from incurable diseases such as juvenile diabetes, Alzheimers's, Parkinson's, AIDS, and spinal cord injuries. It may also help us to understand abnormal cell growth that occurs in cancer and birth defects and change the way we develop drugs and test them for safety and potential efficacy.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan and 69 percent of Americans are in favor of the expansion of stem cell research. This effort is supported by over 200 patient groups, universities, and scientific societies, and has been endorsed by more than 75 national and local newspapers and eighty Nobel Laureates.

It is imperative that we support efforts to improve the quality of life. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to move this important bill forward today, and it is my hope that the Senate will do the same. Unfortunately, the President has indicated that he will veto efforts to expand stem cell research-even H.R. 810 which only proposes to allow stem cell research on discarded embryos with the donor's consent. In this case, the President is clearly choosing radical ideology over American lives.

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