U.S. Newswire
April 26, 2001, Thursday 12:00 AM, Eastern Time
SECTION: NATIONAL DESK
LENGTH: 954 words
HEADLINE: Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Supports New
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Finding
DATELINE: WASHINGTON, APRIL 26
BODY:
The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) believes
that
today's research announcement showing that mouse embryonic stem cells
have
been turned into insulin-producing cells confirms the critical need for
federal funding to be available for all types of stem cell research,
including those from embryonic and adult cells, in accordance with
strict
federal ethics guidelines. The research, conducted by Ron McKay, Ph.D.
and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health, will be published
in
Science magazine.
Today's announcement gives further hope to the millions of patients
who see embryonic stem cell research as one avenue toward a cure, hope
they
fear will be dashed if the Bush administration decides to bar funding
for
this promising research.
The Bush Administration is currently considering whether or not to
continue the current federal policy that permits federal funding of all
types of stem cell research, in accordance with strict ethical
guidelines. Leading scientists believe that embryonic stem cells could
be
used to develop new therapies for diseases and conditions that affect
100
million individuals including those with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's,
diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and spinal cord injury.
The same issue of Science magazine features an editorial by Stanford
University researcher Irving L. Weissman and California Institute of
Technology President and Nobel Laureate David Baltimore that argues in
support of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and warns
that,
"The wrong action here could close the door to an important avenue of
scientific and clinical discover."
The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) is
comprised of universities, scientific and academic societies, patients'
organizations, and other entities that are devoted to ensuring that
federal
funding will be available for all types of stem cell research. A list
of
coalition members is available at www.stemcellfunding.org.
KEYWORDS:
HEALTH, MEDICAL/PHARMACEUTICAL
Maggie Friedman, 973-379-2690, ext. 15 or Lawrence Soler, 202-371-9746,
ext.
12, both of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research
At http://www.stemcellfunding.org/fastaction/
you will find: Take Action , Letters of Support , News , CAMR Members ,
Useful Links, sample letters, position and talking papers, etc.
CAMR Members :
ALS Association
American Association of Neurological
Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Medical Association
American Society for Cell Biology
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
AMFAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research)
Association of American Medical Colleges
Association of American Universities
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Cedars-Sinai Health System
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
Duke University Medical Center
Genetic Alliance
Hadassah
Harvard University
International Longevity Center -- USA
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
(JDRF)
Lymphoma Research Foundation of America
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia
University
Monash University
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Council on Spinal Cord Injury
National Health Council
NCCR (National Coalition for Cancer Research)
Parents of Infants and Children with Kernicterus
(PICK)
*** Parkinson’s Action Network
Project A.L.S.
Research!America
Rett Syndrome Research Foundation (RSRF)
Stanford University Medical Center
Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
University of California System
University of Columbia
University of Michigan
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Washington University in St. Louis
WiCell Research Institution/Wisconsin Alumni
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