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PR Newswire CAMR Statement on DHHS Report: 'Confirms the Incredible Potential that Embryonic Stem Cells Represent.' WASHINGTON, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research: The Department of Health and Human Services Monday released its long awaited report, "Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future Research Directions." In reacting to the report, Lawrence Soler, chair of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, said, "The report confirms the incredible potential that embryonic stem cells represent." The report contains a series of chapters on the therapeutic potential of stem cells regarding various diseases. "Sections of the report detail, in great specificity, the therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cells to someday lead to treatments for diabetes, Parkinson's Disease, spinal cord injuries, and a host of other diseases and disorders. The report reflects the best scientific judgment of researchers at the National Institutes of Health and gives tremendous hope to thousands of patients and their families," said Mr. Soler. Mr. Soler also noted that the report confirms the difficulty in relying solely on adult stem cells. "The report makes it clear that such cells are rare, difficult to characterize, and that although most scientists agree with the standards for identifying candidate adult stem cells, they also agree that the criteria are rarely, if ever, met," said Mr. Soler. He also noted that, "The report urges attention to important caveats before considering the reports of stem cells in various adult tissues. The report stresses that there is limited evidence to date that such adult stem cells can generate mature, fully functional cells or that the cells have restored lost function in vivo." The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) is a stem cell research advocacy coalition comprised of over 50 universities, scientific societies, and voluntary health organizations. The goal of the coalition is to ensure that current federal policy regarding funding for stem cell research is retained. For more information visit the website: http://www.stemcellfunding.org . MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X28969788 SOURCE Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Web Site: http://www.stemcellfunding.org SOURCE: PR Newswire http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-17-2001/0001535164&EDATE= * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn