Marjorie, you' ve done it again. Thankyou for your prompt answer to my
request.. I will be sleeping a lot better tonight. Your information passes
the test for authoratative and helpful for me.Sorry to say just before, I
got your response, I leveled a mighty blast at all who dared consider using
embryonic tissue. I hererbye send my apologies to any who might have been at
the least bit stung by my words. I think we have had an excellent exchange
on stem cells,
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marjorie L. Moorefield" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2000 7:21 PM
Subject: Testimony/Bill Olson


> At 08:33 PM 10/06/2000 -0700, you wrote:
> >Marjorie , you are very special!!
> >
> >         Of all the information and arguments that have been brought
forth in
> >the past few days in regard to stem cells, this sheds the most
authoritative
> >light on the subject. I am grateful for the response and tone of most of
> >the participants, As you can surmise from my age (which is 70) . I really
do
> >not expect to have much more time to wait for the cure.
> >
> >          As an old friend who is just a librarian,  Would you help me
> >understand the situation more fully. I have been wondering just how many
> >researchers are now using infant stem cells in their research ,and what
> >progress is being made!!
> >
> >         Bill Olson,70 now, onset 1983,
> >----- Original Message -----
> Hi Bill,
> Thanks for the praise, this is one day I really need it too!
> I'm going to let a Doctor, a Researcher from MIT answer your questions.
>   Its rather long, so I may have to split it ,if the LISTSERV sends it
back.
>
> Testimony of Richard O. Hynes, Ph.D.
> President, American Society for Cell Biology
> To the Labor, Health & Human Services and
> Education Subcommittee
> of the
> Appropriations Committee
> United States Senate
> September 14, 2000
> Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee: I am Richard Hynes,
Professor
> of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I am also
an
> investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Director of the
> Center for Cancer Research. I am a member of the US National Academy of
> Sciences and of the Institute of Medicine. I am here today as President of
> the American Society for Cell Biology. The Society represents 10,000 basic
> biomedical researchers, most of whom work in our Nation's leading research
> universities and institutes. It is my great pleasure to appear before you
> to explain why our organization feels that it is so important that the
full
> potential of human embryonic stem cell research be realized.
> On behalf of the American Society for Cell Biology, I wish first to extend
> my deepest appreciation to you, Chairman Specter, to Ranking Member Harkin
> and to the members of the Subcommittee for the visionary and courageous
> commitment you have made through your investment in biomedical research at
> the NIH. We are extremely grateful that you have embraced the goal of
> doubling the NIH budget over five years and that we are halfway towards
> reaching that goal. This funding is vitally important to allow our
nation's
> scientists and clinicians to exploit the tremendous opportunities offered
> by the current revolution in biomedical research to enhance the health of
> the American public.
> We believe deeply that this investment in biomedical research will be most
> effectively used if embryonic stem cell research is included among the
> innovative methods used to develop treatments and preventions for disease.
> We understand the ethical concerns that some have raised about this
> research but we respectfully submit that appropriately regulated research
> on human embryonic stem cells can be conducted while taking into account
> those concerns. The Guidelines recently released by the National
Institutes
> of Health enable federally funded scientists to conduct research using
> pluripotent human embryonic stem cell lines. We believe that this research
> will undoubtedly lead to new ways to treat disease and disability.
> Embryonic stem cells will allow the creation of new, healthy tissue to
> replace damaged or dead tissue, such as bone marrow for the treatment of
> cancers, sickle cell anemia and thalassemis; pancreatic cells for the
> treatment of diabetes, and neuronal cells for the treatment of Parkinson's
> disease, Alzheimer's and various brain and spinal cord injuries and
> disorders. The prospects offered by this research are analogous to, but
> will likely far surpass, the benefits realized by organ transplantation
> over recent decades.
> We do not stand alone in our determination that this invaluable research
> must go forward. Attached to my testimony is a statement signed by 70
> American organizations, including the American Medical Association, the
> Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, the Juvenile Diabetes
> Foundation International, the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, the
> American Association for Cancer Research, and the Federation of American
> Societies of Experimental Biology which I respectfully request be
submitted
> for the record.
> I also want to reiterate the support of the American Society for Cell
> Biology for S.2015, "The Stem Cell Research Act of 2000" which you have
> introduced, that would allow federally-funded scientists not only to use,
> but also to derive embryonic stem cell lines for research purposes.
> Some have argued that human embryonic stem cell research is "illegal,
> unnecessary and immoral." We respectfully disagree on all counts. On the
> contrary, we believe that it would be immoral not to pursue this great
> opportunity to improve the quality of human life.
> First, the charge that the NIH has acted illegally is unfounded. As you
> well know, the Labor, Health & Human Services and Education Appropriations
> bills have restricted embryo research for the last several years, but
these
> bills are silent on the use of embryonic stem cells. These cells are not
> embryos and they cannot independently develop into embryos. The NIH
> Guidelines prohibit the use of NIH funds to create embryos for
experimental
> purposes and they set specific criteria governing the sources from which
> embryonic stem cells can be obtained. These guidelines require the
informed
> consent of the donors, preclude any possible direct benefit to such
donors,
> and prohibit the creation of embryos for research purposes. Cells used for
> research must be derived solely from embryos generated for fertility
> treatments and in excess of clinical need. Such embryos would otherwise be
> discarded. A critical element of the NIH Guidelines is that the federal
> government will oversee the use of embryonic stem cells. Heretofore, this
> valuable resource was available exclusively to private and commercial
> entities, which were not accountable to the public. By funding human
> embryonic stem cell research, the federal government may exercise control
> over standards for use of stem cells. This provision will facilitate open
> debate and encourage public input into the appropriate uses of this
> important scientific opportunity.
> Second, critics argue that embryonic stem cell research is unnecessary
> because stem cells derived from adult tissues may be used with equal
> effectiveness. I regret that this claim is ill-informed and misleading.
> Scientists are indeed guardedly encouraged by recent reports of plasticity
> of some adult stem cells, but this line of research is in its very early
> stages and far from definitive. We know little about the availability of
> adult stem cells, their differentiation, or their potential for prolonged
> maintenance outside the body. While we strongly support continued research
> on adult stem cells, it is far too early to conclude that they will be as
> effective in treating and preventing disease as embryonic stem cells seem
> certain to be. If embryonic stem cell research were to be halted based on
> that hope, it is entirely possible that years would pass before scientists
> determine whether or not adult stem cells are of equivalent value. During
> those years embryonic stem cell research can an should be pursued in
> parallel, to the great benefit of many of our fellow citizens. This
> possibility was emphasized in a letter to Chairman Specter in May from
some
> of this Nation's leading researchers investigating adult stem cells who
> stated: "We are dismayed that our research is being used as a
justification
> to hinder or prohibit research with embryonic stem cells. It is simply
> incorrect to use the future promise of adult stem cell research as an
> argument that embryonic stem cell research is not critical and essential."
> Again, I respectfully request that you submit their letters for the
record.
> Finally, given these facts, we believe it would be immoral not to pursue
> embryonic stem cell research, within the appropriate regulatory oversight
> mandated by the NIH Guidelines, because this research has enormous
> potential to save human lives and to mitigate human suffering. The embryos
> in question would be obtained from in vitro fertilization clinics only
from
> those in excess of clinical need. I submit that, if the issue is morality,
> using embryonic cells for potentially life-saving research is greatly
> preferable to discarding them. Surely we should take advantage of the
> enormous life-saving potential of the thousands of embryos that are
> currently frozen and destined for destruction?
> Great Britain has recognized the value of stem cell research, having
> strongly recommend the use of embryonic stem cells, and is now considering
> enabling publicly funded researchers to establish new embryonic stem cell
> lines. Other European countries are moving in the same direction. I do not
> believe that the Europeans are less moral or ethical than we. I also do
not
> believe that they are less sensitive to the sanctity of life. I do believe
> that they have acted appropriately to enact by law the generation of new
> sources for stem cells in order to save lives and reduce suffering of the
> living and I believe we should do the same in this country.
> In conclusion, The American Society for Cell Biology strongly endorses the
> NIH Guidelines which will enable federally-funded scientists to pursue
> embryonic stem cell research. We also endorse S.2015, "The Stem Cell
> Research Act of 2000". We feel that, for the sake of humanity, studies
> using all forms of stem cells ( embryonic, fetal and adult ( should be
> pursued vigorously. We owe it to all those who are suffering to explore
all
> possible avenues that could lead to the prevention of, and remedies for,
> disease.
> I thank you for the opportunity to testify before you, Mr. Chairman. I
> would be pleased to answer any questions.
> P:/tleshan/ppolicy/HynestestH.rtf