This statement went out to the media today, January 8, 2007 at 4 p.m.

IN CASE YOU WANT THE UNBIASED, BIPARTISAN TRUTH: EMBRYONIC STEM CELL
RESEARCH SHOWS GREAT PROMISE

 From Sean Tipton, president, Coalition for the Advancement of
Medical Research (CAMR) -- "Embryonic stem cell research opponents
selectively and irresponsibly tout individual studies when it's
politically convenient.  The nationally recognized and prestigious
universities, scientists, medical schools, research organizations and
foundations that CAMR represents want all sides of the story to be
told on this issue.  We need a federal policy change on embryonic
stem cell research, and we look forward to the House and Senate
passing the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act early in this 110th
Congress."
The Washington Post:  "Atala and other scientists emphasized that
they don't believe the [amniotic] cells will make embryonic stem
cells irrelevant.  'There's not going to be one shoe that fits all,'
said Robert Lanza, scientific director at Advanced Cell Technology in
Worcester, Mass. 'We're going to have to see which ones are most
useful for which clinical conditions.'  George Daley, a Harvard stem
cell researcher, echoed that sentiment. "They are not a replacement
for embryonic stem cells." (Rick Weiss, "Scientists See Potential in
Amniotic Stem Cells," The Washington Post, 1/8/07)
Bloomberg - "Many laboratories have claimed to have found cells
outside the embryo that share the ability to become a wide variety of
tissues, said Jeanne Loring, a researcher at the Burnham Institute in
La Jolla, California, who has been working with stem cells for 20
years. 'Other laboratories will have to replicate the work with the
amniotic cells before it's accepted, 'she said.  'We're all very
cautious because people have been wrong so many times,''" (John
Lauerman, "Amniotic Stem Cells Offer Alternative to Embryonic, Adult
Cells," Bloomberg News, 1/8/07)
Associated Press: "But Dr. Anthony Atala, head of Wake Forest's
regenerative medicine institute and the senior researcher on the
project, said the scientists still don't know exactly how many
different cell types can be made from the stem cells found in
amniotic fluid. The scientists said preliminary tests in patients are
years away. 'While they are fascinating subjects of study in their
own right, they are not a substitute for human embryonic stem cells,
which allow scientists to address a host of other interesting
questions in early human development,' said [Harvard University
scientist] Dr. George Daley." (The Associated Press, "Report:
Amniotic fluid yields stem cells", MSNBC.com, 1/8/07)
New York Times: "But all stem cells are not alike, and an early read
by the Science desk here at The Times suggests that the [amniotic]
cells harvested this way may not be as versatile and useful as the
ones harvested from embryos, which are called pluripotent stem cells.
Stem cells of the multipotent type, like those isolated from adult
tissue, have so far been of much less use to researchers, in part
because they have been very difficult to grow in the lab." (Tom
Zeller, Jr., The New York Times; The Lede, 1/8/07)
Los Angeles Times: "It is still unclear whether stem cells from
amniotic fluid - the liquid that cushions fetuses in the womb - can
produce the range of cell types that embryonic stem cells can.  'It
makes me wonder how pluripotent they are,' said [Larry] Goldstein,
[UC, San Diego] who was not involved in the study.  Though the cells
might prove useful in some circumstances, Goldstein said, they aren't
a substitute for embryonic stem cells. 'They built a screwdriver
here, but I need a wrench,' he said." (Karen Kaplan, "Stem Cells in
Amniotic Fluid Show Great Promise, Study Says," 1/8/07)
USA Today: "But as a number of reports note, the research is young
compared to what is known about embryonic stem cell studies. It is
still unclear whether stem cells from amniotic fluid - the liquid
that cushions babies in the womb -- can give rise to the full range
of cell types that embryonic stem cells can produce." (Patrick
Cooper, "On Deadline: More backing for amniotic stem cells?," USA
Today online, Jan. 8, 2007)
Globe and Mail: "But both Dr. Atala and other stem-cell experts agree
that much remains to be learned about these [amniotic] cells.  'I
don't think it's going to replace embryonic stem cell research at
this point. Lots has to be done to see a clear picture of these
cells,' said Andras Nagy, a senior scientist at the Samuel Lunenfeld
Research Institute at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. 'We have to
find out, what are the limitations of these cells? What are these
cells? We have to be very careful not to get overexcited.'  Dr. Nagy,
who developed the first two human embryonic stem cell lines in
Canada, said it may be that different diseases could be treated with
stem cells derived from different sources. Still, he said, he doubted
these new amniotic cells 'will be able to do as many things as
embryonic stem cells.' " (Carolyn Abraham, "Amniotic fluids bring
stem cell boost," 1/8/07)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Statement: "Because our
knowledge of amniotic fluid-derived  stem cells is so preliminary, we
believe it is critical for JDRF and other organizations to support
research exploring the potential and promise of all types of stem
cells- embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and  amniotic fluid-
derived and amnion-derived stem cells- to become mature functional
cells to cure diabetes and other diseases." [Dr. Richard Insel,
Executive Vice President for Research at JDRF]
"Amniotic cells are not embryonic stem cells. They are not
pluripotent to the same degree and will be used for very different
purposes in research and potentially medicine. They are not a
replacement for embryonic stem cells.  Growing cells from
amniocentesis fluid is quite interesting, and the use for specific
babies born with conditions that were found during ultrasound is
fascinating and futuristic.  I am quite bullish on the applications
of fetal-derived aminotic cells for autologous treatments where the
cells from a specific fetus are cultured for later use in the baby.
In cases where a disorder is diagnosed in utero (e.g., diaphragmatic
hernia, or certain developmental defects), this makes great sense, as
the cells are 'self' to the baby."  -- George Daley, Harvard University
"Unfortunately, and predictably, opponents of embryonic stem cell
research will attempt to make it seem as if embryonic stem cell
research is unnecessary and has no potential to provide treatments
for diseases and injuries.  This simply is not true.  In fact, the
overwhelming majority of scientists and medical organizations,
including the American Medical Association, Association of American
Medical Colleges and the National Academies of Science, believe that
both adult and embryonic stem cell research should be pursued.  These
organizations are joined by more than  one hundred patient groups
like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Christopher Reeve
Foundation, Parkinson's Action Network, and the CNS Foundation.  The
reason for this scientific consensus is that adult and embryonic stem
cells have their own distinct characteristics and their own distinct
potential to provide treatments and cures.  We hope that Members of
Congress will dismiss the notion that one kind of stem cell research
obviates the need for the other, and that they will understand the
essential importance of a broad-based approach to stem cell
research.  This approach must include meaningful federal funding for
all forms of stem cell research, including the study of human
embryonic stem cells, so that scientists can develop new treatments
and cures from across the spectrum of stem cell biology.  -- Steven
Teitelbaum, M.D.; Wilma and Roswell Messing Professor of Pathology
and Immunology; Washington University in St. Louis, MO
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE COALITION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF
MEDICAL RESEARCH
Sean Tipton -- 202.421.5112
Sarah Youngerman -- 651.485.7171
Carol Blymire -- 301.332.8090
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