Congressman Cuellar Co-Sponsors Bill To Allow Stem Cell Research

CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR CO-SPONSORS BILL TO ALLOW STEM CELL RESEARCH

Today, Congress passed HR 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which was co-sponsored by Congressman Henry Cuellar. This bill aims to improve health care by promoting life-saving embryonic stem cell research.

"I believe that enhanced stem cell research is a necessary step to improve health care," said Congressman Cuellar. "By promoting this life-saving research, we come a step closer to curing diseases which afflict millions of Americans."

The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act only authorizes the use of stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. It has strict ethical guidelines, including stipulating that embryos can be used only if the donors give their written consent and receive no money or other inducement in exchange for the embryos.

Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to provide treatments and cures to various diseases, such as diabetes, muscle damage, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, ALS, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and other impairments and conditions.

Congressman Cuellar continued, "This bill will be beneficial to the many Americans who have fallen victim to these deadly illnesses. I proudly co-sponsor this vital bill, and I will continue fighting to ensure that the best medical attention is available to Americans everywhere."

http://www.house.gov/list/press/tx28_cuellar/100hoursstemcell.html