Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005
STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - May 24, 2005)
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Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I have never seen such a well-attended debate, which shows the importance of this issue; and I rise today on behalf of my father who died of Parkinson's Disease. I also rise today on behalf of the millions of Americans like me who have watched their loved ones battle the ravages of some dreaded disease.
I ask my colleagues, How many more lives must be ended or ravaged until our government gives researchers the wherewithal to simply do their jobs?
Although there are no guarantees, many scientists have told me that embryonic stem cell research offers the best and only hope to discover a cure for many, many dreaded diseases. Embryonic research offers scientists the opportunity to extend life and the quality of life for future generations of Americans.
As we are debating, other countries, other States, other people are moving forward with research with all speed. We should pass the DeGette/Castle bill. Life is too precious to wait.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. As a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease, I support this legislation that will expand the number of stem cell lines that are available for federally funded research. I believe this bill will reopen the doors to scientific inquiry, allowing us to be able, once again, to utilize embryonic stem cells while adhering to strict ethical guidelines.
I am and continue to be an opponent of human cloning. However, I recognize that we must move forward with ethical research that could lead to new drug therapies. We owe this to those suffering from Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Lou Gehrig's disease. And we owe this to scientists who are eager to explore new frontiers of science and medicine, but who are restrained by Federal restrictions.
Mr. Speaker, I have met with doctors, scientists, and researchers in my district's leading medical institutions who warn of a "brain drain" as their best and brightest relocate to places where funding for embryonic stem cell research is not restricted.
I have spoken with lawmakers in the State of New York, who have garnered $1 billion in embryonic stem cell research funding, but without Federal funding, stem cell research will move forward without crucial oversight and guidelines.
I have been persuaded by directors at the National Institutes of Health who have spoken out against the White House policy on stem cells.
And I have been moved by the pleas of my constituents who are eager to find cures for suffering loved ones.
Mr. Speaker, this is a mandate.
In 2003, over 900,000 Americans died of heart disease and more than 550,000 succumbed to cancer. I am sure that many in this Chamber have seen friends suffer through the misery of cancer and the indignities of chemotherapy. Who among us has not had a parent or grandparent look at us with vacant eyes because Alzheimer's has stolen their memory away from them? Too many of us have watched as our children with Juvenile Diabetes hold back tears as they give themselves insulin injections each day. Mr. Speaker, it does not have to be this way. Healing our children, family, and friends is a bipartisan issue. In fact, it is a moral imperative.
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