Bean Votes for Two Bills Expanding Federal Support for Stem Cell Research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2005
Bean Votes for Two Bills Expanding Federal Support for Stem Cell Research
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Melissa Bean (IL-8) today voted in favor of
HR 810, the "STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005,"
a bill that expands scientific research that utilizes excess human embryonic stem cells
that would otherwise be destroyed, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were
derived. The bipartisan bill passed by 238 to 194. Bean's statement:
"Millions of Americans, and thousands of my constituents, have invested
their hopes in stem cell research and its enormous potential. My strong
support for this legislation is driven by scientific logic and basic human
decency. When science opens a door that may alleviate the suffering of
millions and prolong their lives, I refuse to slam it shut.
"I will continue to stand with the 12-year-old boy in Gurnee enduring
juvenile diabetes, the 60-year old Schaumburg woman confronting
Alzheimer's, the young mother fighting breast cancer, and the millions other
Americans who are battling disease with a courage we all pray we will
never need.
"By easing the existing restrictions that are stifling stem cell research and
hindering the medical community's attempts to be the preeminent innovator
of this technology, this legislation represents a compassionate long-overdue
advance in the battle against disease and for scientific progress. Countless
families have looked to Congress to embrace their optimism and support
their belief in a healthy future, and I was not going to let them down."
The "STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005,"
broadens the availability of federal funding for embryonic stem cell
research, while imposing strong ethical regulations on the source and
use of the surplus embryos that are used in the research. Bean also
supported HR 2520, the "STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC AND
RESEARCH ACT OF 2005," which expands federal support for
research using adult stem cells. That bill passed by a vote of 431-1.
http://www.house.gov/bean/Resources/Press%20Releases/2005.05.24/Rep.%20Melissa%20Bean%20Press%20Release%20-%202005.05.24.pdf