Stem Cell Research
Stem cell research may hold many keys to treatment and cures of diseases that plague our world. However, this issue has been fraught with controversy and has been the subject of numerous debates not only in Congress, but throughout the country.
On August 9, 2001, President George W. Bush made a statement to the nation regarding federal funding for stem cell research. In his statement, he said, “I have concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for research on … existing stem cell lines, where the life and death decision has already been made.” The President’s action allows federal funding to be used for embryonic stem cell research if the embryo has already been destroyed; however, the further destruction of living embryos for the purpose of government funded stem cell research is prohibited. There are currently 22 human embryonic stem cell lines that federally supported researchers can utilize for research. President Bush’s decision marked the first time federal funding has been made available for human embryonic stem cell research.
On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama introduced legislation that reversed restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research implemented by the Bush administration. The Obama administration directed the National Institute of Health (NIH) to develop new codes of conduct for embryonic stem cell research. NIH registered 78 human embryonic stem cell lines that could receive federal funding for research. However, due to technical complications, only 21 of these lines are available.
It is important to point out that stem cell research of any kind is currently legal in the United States. Private entities continue to carry out promising research in the field, without restriction or encumbrance from the government. The current debate focuses on the use of taxpayer dollars to subsidize embryonic stem cell research. Concern has risen of the longevity of the stem cell lines available to research, and most scientists agree that advancement within this field requires access to additional lines of stem cells.
Congress has recently considered legislation to expand upon the President’s guidelines. As you may know, S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act was introduced by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) on January 4, 2007. This bill seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to include embryonic stem cell research, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Although I voted against this legislation, the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 63 to 34. This bill also passed the House of Representatives, but was eventually vetoed by President George Bush in June 2007. An identical bill to S. 5, S. 487, was introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) on February 26, 2009. This bill has been referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where it awaits further review.
Instead, I voted to support ethical, proven alternatives to embryonic stem cell research. S. 30, the HOPE (Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research) Act was introduced by Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota) on March 29, 2007. This measure would support the development of techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of non-embryonic stem cells, including pluripotent stem cells which have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells whether or not they have an embryonic source. Such methods have already produced treatments for various diseases, and show great promise for the future. For example, stem cells may be derived from umbilical cord blood, also known as “placental blood.” This is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth and after the cord is cut. Cord-blood stem cells are already used in the treatment of more than 60 different diseases, including leukemia, Fanconi anemia, sickle cell disease and thalassemia. In addition, the ability of cord blood stem cells to differentiate, or change into other types of cells in the body, is a new discovery that holds significant promise for improving the treatment of some of the most common diseases such as heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer's. Research on adult stem cells has also generated a great deal of excitement. Scientists have found adult stem cells in many more tissues than they once thought possible. Certain types of adult stem cells seem to have the ability to differentiate into a number of different cell types. If this differentiation of adult stem cells can be further controlled in the laboratory, these cells may become the basis of therapies for many serious common diseases.
Recently, a new study has shown that stem cells located in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women may be beneficial in treating a variety of diseases. Amniotic stem cells are shed by the developing fetus and share many common characteristics with embryonic stem cells, including the capacity to be cultivated into brain, muscle and other types of tissue for use in medical treatment. Although the medical findings related to amniotic stem cells are preliminary at this time, many believe that there is tremendous promise for the future. I look forward to learning more about this promising alternative as the science community continues to work toward better treatments and cures for serious illnesses.
Because I am committed to finding cures for difficult and debilitating diseases, I support these valuable additions to the ongoing embryonic stem cell research being conducted by both public and private entities. This balanced approach supports promising scientific advances research while recognizing the serious ethical questions surrounding embryonic stem cell research. In addition, it provides an alternative to compelling millions of Americans who believe embryo destruction is immoral to support such destruction with their tax dollars. Ultimately, I understand the legitimate concerns raised by both proponents and opponents of embryonic stem cell research. I will continue to carefully balance the need for productive medical research and the rights of the unborn.
For more information on federal research on stem cells, visit the National Institute of Health's (NIH) website.
