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the folllowing is forwarded from the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) and umbrella organization of patient groups,( such as the Parkinson's Action Network, Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, etc.) scientists, universities and research centers that advocates for stem cell research. More info on their web site : www.stemcellfunding.org Linda --------- Forwarded message ---------- From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 21:40:43 -0700 Subject: ACTION ALERT There will be a hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, February 5th, to discuss both therapeutic and reproductive cloning. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), commonly referred to as therapeutic cloning, involves the use of a donor's unfertilized egg and a patient's own cells. The research could allow a patient's own genetic material to be used to develop stem cell therapies specifically tailored to that individual's medical condition. Reproductive cloning is the implantation of that egg into a woman's womb for the purpose of creating a newborn genetically identical to another human being. Given the scientific potential of SCNT, CAMR supports efforts to protect important areas of medical research, and supports efforts to prohibit reproductive cloning. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has introduced the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001, S. 1758, that would ban reproductive cloning while allowing research to continue. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) has introduced two pieces of legislation entitled the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001, S. 790 and S. 1899, that would ban all cloning, including research; imprison researchers; and ban the importation of therapeutic products developed in other countries using SCNT. --------------------------------------- ***FOR NEW YORK STATE: Please take this opportunity to call Senator Charles Schumer at 202-224-6542, and urge him to attend the hearing and express his support for therapeutic cloning. ------------------------------------------ For more information on SCNT and cloning, please visit our website at www.stemcellfunding.org, or read the most recent report by the National Academies of Science on the Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Reproductive Cloning, at www.nap.edu. Thank you for taking action now. THE VALUE OF SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER Stem cell research opens up completely new opportunities in Regenerative Medicine. Two types of research will be required to realize its potential - research on the controlled differentiation of stem cells into the replacement cells and tissues required for therapy and research on Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) to ensure that replacement cells and tissues are immunologically compatible with the patient. SCNT is an important subset of stem cell research, and could allow researchers to develop stem cell therapies that are specifically tailored to an individual's medical condition and that do not trigger an immune rejection response. This holds promise for patients with diseases such as: Parkinson's Disease; stroke; heart disease; ALS; various cancers; and many others. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) * SCNT involves removing the nucleus of an egg cell, replacing it with the material from the nucleus of a "somatic cell" (a skin, heart, nerve or any other non-germ cell), and stimulating this cell to begin dividing; * This egg cell is never fertilized by sperm, and the genetic material within the cell is virtually identical to the genetic material extracted from the skin or other cell. * Once the cells begins dividing, stem cells can be extracted from it 5-6 days later, just as they can be extracted from embryos created through in vitro fertilization. * By using SCNT, scientists hope to understand how the protein factors in the egg cell cause these already specialized somatic cells to become stem cells. Once we learn how this cell "de-differentiation" occurs, we will no longer need to use egg cells. * The sole purpose of this technology is to develop treatments for diseases and medical conditions. Advantages of SCNT * Because of SCNT, science could advance to a point where millions of people will have access to life saving therapies developed using their own DNA. The National Academy of Sciences has identified nuclear transfer as important technology to be pursued. * When cells, including donated organs, tissues or blood, are transplanted or transfused, the recipient's body mounts a rejection response, attacking these cells as foreign. * If a person's own somatic cells were the source of stem cells used to create therapeutic cells or tissues, it is believed that immunological rejection could be avoided since the cells and tissues would exactly match those of the person who donated the somatic cell nucleus. * SCNT could allow an individual's own cells to be used to treat or cure that person's disease, without risk of introducing foreign cells that may be rejected. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn