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PRESS RELEASE: Stem Cell Coalition Issues Letter to First Lady 9/2/2004 4:15:00 PM To: National Desk Contact: Sean Tipton of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, 202-863-2494 (work) or 202-421-5112 (cell), [log in to unmask] WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) today issued a letter to First Lady Laura Bush, making the case for expanded federal support for embryonic stem cell research. The letter reminds Mrs. Bush of the great potential of embryonic stem cell research. It explains how President Bush's restrictive policies have slowed research, forcing America's federally funded scientists to use inferior stem cell lines for their investigations. Mrs. Bush has made comments about stem cell research on several occasions, including at the Republican National Convention. "CAMR's primary goal has always been to educate the public and policy makers about stem cell research. We are happy to extend an invitation to Mrs. Bush to meet with any of the patients or scientists we represent to provide her information on this vital issue, " said Daniel Perry CAMR President. A copy of the letter is below. ------ Following is the text of the letter from the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research to First Lady Laura Bush: September 1, 2004 First Lady Laura Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mrs. Bush, On behalf of the 87 national member organizations that comprise the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, we appreciate that you mentioned stem cell research in your speech. As you know, this issue is personally important to us and the millions of patients, advocates, caregivers, academic institutions, scientists and researchers across the country that we represent. Stem cell research holds enormous promise for more than 100 million Americans, including those suffering from diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, heart disease, spinal cord injury and cancer. We are extremely concerned that the restrictive nature of the Bush Administration policy is severely undermining this science. Currently, the Administration's ban on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001 seriously limits scientists' ability to conduct research toward the cures and therapies that may exist. While the Administration believed more than 60 embryonic stem cell lines were available for research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) currently shows the number of available lines at only 22 and estimates that no greater than 23 will be available from the current resources under this policy. However, there are dozens of lines that have been derived since August 9, 2001 that could be made available for Federal research funding if the Bush Administration expanded its policy. There is effectively a Federal ban on the vast majority of stem cells, which is preventing scientists from fully exploring and realizing the potential that stem cell research holds. While we have never over-promised the results of this research, we cannot over- promise its potential. For those with a personal stake in the possibilities of embryonic stem cell research, this really is a race against time. Time and again, America has made new discoveries, from landing on the moon to curing polio. However, to reach these goals we have opened every door and pursued every path. Reaching the promise of stem cell research requires no less. While we strongly support further research on adult stem cells, we believe that it does not hold the immense promise of embryonic stem cells. This view has been confirmed by the NIH report on stem cells released in 2001, and by several expert evaluations by the Institute of Medicine. In addition, more than 80 Nobel Laureates sent a letter to President Bush stating that NIH should fund research on both embryonic and adult stem cells, and that prohibiting federal support for embryonic stem cell research will prematurely close off an important area of medical science. We strongly believe that we need to proceed on all fronts in order to maximize the potential of stem cells both adult and embryonic. Lifting the administration's restriction on embryonic stem cell research has broad bipartisan support. Fifty-eight Senators, including fourteen Republicans like Orrin Hatch, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and John McCain, sent the president a letter in June this year asking to overturn the ban on federal funding of research on new stem cell lines. As you know, Nancy Reagan has become a wonderful and eloquent advocate for this research. We are always happy to be a resource for you by arranging meetings with scientists and advocates to provide you information as you continue to speak on this important issue. We look forward to continuing the dialogue about how together we can work toward a brighter day when millions of Americans and their families will no longer have to suffer from diseases that continue to go uncured. Sincerely, Daniel Perry President Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research ------ The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), a non-partisan non-profit, is comprised of nationally-recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders, advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine -- including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer -- in order to cure disease and alleviate suffering. For more information on CAMR, visit the Web site: http://www.camradvocacy.org SOURCE: Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=35591 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn