FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Contact: In DC - Brandon MacGillis (202) 225-4431
In CO - Chris Arend (303) 844-4988 
 
 
 
 WASHINGTON, D.C. – One year ago today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Castle-DeGette Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810) with broad bi-partisan support.  This bill would override President Bush's August 9, 2001 decision to limit federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

“One year ago today Members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, joined together to put patients first by passing H.R. 810,” said Dian DeGette (D-CO).  “Two months later Senator Frist announced his support for our bill and it appeared that the hopes of so many patients would finally be realized.  Unfortunately, that is the last we have heard of the bill.”

The Castle-DeGette bill would expand the federal embryonic stem cell policy and create an ethical framework that must be followed in conducting this research under the guidance of the National Institutes of Health.  This bill has been endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist who has promised to bring it to a vote, but has yet to do so.

“Senator Frist has found time for the Senate to do just about everything else under the sun but put patients first.  They have designated 46 post offices and debated everything from flag burning to gay marriage,” said DeGette.  “Unfortunately Senator Frist can’t seem to find the time for the millions of patients who are suffering.”

Since the Castle-DeGette bill was passed:

1.5 million people were diagnosed with diabetes,
55,000 people were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease,
Roughly 8,700 people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
 

During that same time, the number of Americans who support embryonic stem cell research grew to seventy-two percent, up from sixty-eight percent in 2005.

“In the past year, millions of Americans have been diagnosed with life threatening diseases and millions more were forced to wait for this critical research.  We simply cannot delay another day to send this life saving legislation to the President,” said Rep. DeGette.  “My message to Senator Frist is the same today as it was one year ago; get it done.”

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Frist Breaks With Bush On Stem Cell Research

Washington Post - Saturday, July 30, 2005

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