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The following draft letter is from the American Society for Cell Biology web site (http://www.jscpp.org) --you can adapt it as you see fit. Send to your reps and senators as well. Send as a letter to the editor to your local newspaper. There are more letter samples and information at Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research http://www.stemcellfunding.org/fastaction Linda DRAFT LETTER President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Bush: I write to urge you to maintain federal funding for stem cell and fetal tissue research. I believe this research has enormous potential to lead to possible cures or treatments of many devastating diseases. Some have argued that adult stem cells can be used effectively in research to pursue treatments or cures for disease. But the prevailing expert scientific opinion is that it is far too early to know if adult stem cells have the same potential for disease treatment as embryonic stem cells. For diseases impossible to treat with adult stem cells, impeding human pluripotent stem cell research risks unnecessary delay for patients who may die or endure needless suffering while the effectiveness of adult stem cells is evaluated. In contrast to work with adult cells, the enormous promise and potential therapeutic value of human embryonic stem cells is based on a substantial body of research generated over the past 20 years with mouse embryonic stem cells. I understand that the Administration has undertaken a review of the federal role in this research. This work could impact the lives of millions of Americans suffering from many of humanity's most devastating illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, ALS, heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's, spinal cord injury and diabetes. Finally, we must bear in mind that the embryos used in this research are produced in invitro fertilization clinics and if not used for humanitarian research may otherwise be discarded. Furthermore, the guidelines issued by the NIH will protect against abuse with regard to the research, such as profit-taking or targeting beneficiaries of research. Under these circumstances, it would be tragic to waste this promising scientific opportunity to potentially help millions of people in need. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, cc: Representative ________ Senator ________ Senator ________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn