Durbin Pushes for Senate Vote on Stem Cell Research Bill

DURBIN PUSHES FOR SENATE VOTE ON STEM CELL RESEARCH BILL

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called for immediate action in the U.S. Senate on legislation that would expand the federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research at a roundtable discussion in Chicago today. He met at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with several people from the city and the surrounding suburbs afflicted with diseases such as diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease or spinal cord injuries.

"The question before us is very clear: Should stem cells be used to save others' lives, to prevent disease, to give someone hope and a future? That is what it is about," Durbin said.

"There is a way to fully support stem cell research and the great promise it holds, while still maintaining close oversight and ensuring that all research meets the highest ethical standards," Durbin said. "We, as a country, are ready to meet that challenge, and now is the right time to do so."

Durbin said that in order to continue attracting the best and brightest scientists, the federal funding restrictions should be relaxed, as we're already seeing leadership on stem cell research shift to countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

"I am urging Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a medical doctor, one I greatly respect, to bring this bill up and bring it up quickly."

The current policy, which limits federal funding only to embryonic stem cells that were derived by August 9, 2001 when Bush first announced his policy, is severely limiting America's ability to find the treatments and cures for the deadly and disabling diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, that affect more than 100 million Americans, Durbin said.

"Scientists have told me the stem cell lines eligible for federal funding are far too restricted to fully explore this research, as only 17 to 19 of the original 78 stem cell lines are available to researchers," Durbin said.

"I sincerely hope President Bush, who made an exception for some stem cell lines for research, will understand that you cannot take an absolute position on this issue. It is a tough issue. It is one where we should draw good, ethical guidelines for the use of this research, but not prohibit it, not close the door to this research and the cures that could come from it."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=238779&&