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Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research Does Not Support Smith Bill on Stem Cell Research Bill Would Exclude Federal Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Considered to Be Most Promising WASHINGTON, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) does not support a bill introduced today by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) which excludes federal funding of embryonic stem cell research derived from excess fertilized eggs. The bill calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a National Stem Cell Donor Bank to preserve "qualifying human stem cells" and make them available for biomedical research and therapeutic purposes -- the qualifying stem cells do not include embryonic stem cells. It also authorizes an appropriation of $30 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in FY2002 to conduct and support research using only these "qualifying" human stem cells. "Representative Smith's bill would allow federal funds for research using virtually all types of stem cells except the ones that scientists believe have the greatest potential to cure disease and meet unmet medical needs," said Lawrence Soler, Chairman of CAMR. "Our coalition supports all stem cell research, but embryonic stem cell research using excess fertilized eggs is cited by leading scientists and 80 Nobel Laureates as the best hope to help cure over 100 million Americans suffering from incurable, devastating illnesses and conditions. And this avenue of research is supported by 70% of Americans," he added. A survey of 1,010 adults was conducted May 10-13 by Caravan OCR International for CAMR, a coalition of 49 organizations and universities involved in seeking cures to such life-threatening illnesses as cancer, Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and heart disease. After hearing both sides of the issue, public support for human embryonic stem cell research is overwhelming -- 70 percent -- and includes surprisingly strong backing from fundamentalist Christians and abortion opponents. Support for the research among Catholics outstripped opposition by more than 3 to 1 (72 percent to 23 percent) and among fundamentalist Christians by almost 2.5 to 1 (63 percent to 26 percent). Both groups also favored, by wide margins, support by President Bush and Members of Congress for the research. Among participants describing themselves as pro-life, more than half favored stem cell research (56 percent) and NIH funding of the research (57 percent). Survey participants were asked their initial opinion of stem cell research that comes from fertilized eggs, then given a series of arguments used by both supporters and opponents of the research. Seventy-seven percent indicated initial support. After hearing further arguments on both sides, the results showed continued, strong overall support -- 70 percent. Participants strongly supporting the research outnumbered those strongly opposed by 3 to 1. Respondents strongly favored NIH funding for stem cell research by 2.5 to 1. "Not only do the American people support research using excess fertilized eggs, but science shows that these cells have the ability to grow into any type of cell or organ in the body. Stem cells from adults appear to have a much more restricted path for development, limiting their usefulness in therapies for diseases," added Mr. Soler. "To not allow federal funds for all types of stem cell research is to not allow a potential cure for millions of Americans." For media inquiries please contact: Julie Kimbrough, 212-479-7536 or Maggie Friedman, 973-379-2690, ext. 15. For more information visit: http://www.stemcellfunding.org. MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -- Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X43898197 SOURCE Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Web Site: http://www.stemcellfunding.org http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-08-2001/0001510485&EDATE= ********* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn