January 26, 2007Volume 07, Issue 01-04 Spotlight: Michael Sarcona Senator Coleman's Bill Neural Stem Cells Dear SCAN Members, I would rather be reporting progress in research using embryonic stem cells, amniotic stem cells, umbilical cord stem cells, adult stem cells, any kind of stem cells, but we are back to talking about politics in Washington D.C. As you all know, research and politics are intertwined: more federal dollars for research, more reports on advances, treatments, even cures. We believe that the U.S. Senate is likely to vote on the Stem Cell Enhancement Act in mid-February, probably right after Presidents' Day weekend. (Of course, anything can still affect the Senate calendar.) We believe that there will be a major patient-driven event in D.C. after that vote, which at the moment still seems shy of the 67 votes needed for over-ride, but the handicappers (pun intended?) are optimistic we may yet squeak out a victory. Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) have both mentioned their belief that this year the Senate will reach a veto-proof majority. (The vote in the Senate last summer was 63 votes Pro-Cures, 4 votes shy.) So SCAN is revving up the grassroots (that's you) to again become active in the next few weeks to contact key U.S. Senators to urge them to listen to their constituents and pass the bill. Go to the SCAN website, www.stemcellaction.org to see how you can contact your Senator. More SCAN news: Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, M.D. of Washington University in St. Louis, a member of SCAN's Scientific Advisory Board, has responded to Senator Norm Coleman's (R- MN) bill - see link at left - as follows: Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) on Tuesday (1/23/07) introduced a bill that would provide $5 billion in federal funds over 10 years for human embryonic stem cell research using cells from embryos that have "died naturally" and for research using altered nuclear transfer. Professor Steven Teitelbaum M.D., Washington University, St. Louis when asked to evaluate the feasibility of these two procedures describes the intractable problems that would result: - Use of "dead" embryos: There is no way to determine precisely when an embryo has "died". Also, if stem cells were to be extracted from a "dead" embryo then the stem cells would be less than optimally functional, if at all viable or "alive". - "Altered nuclear transfer": This procedure, which creates a "crippled" embryo does not resolve either side of the presumptive ethical dilemma. If one believes that the unimplanted embryo is equivalent to a human, then destroying those which are disabled is unacceptable. Alternatively, if one believes we should be using excess embryos which would be otherwise destroyed to hopefully cure patients with presently incurable diseases, altered nuclear transfer represents an additional technical hurdle which will surely retard progress. Dr. Teitelbaum's conclusion is the same as that of the majority of scientists who are engaged in and knowledgeable of the characteristics of stem cells: research must proceed on all types of stem cells including embryonic, to ensure that progress toward treatments for intractable diseases and conditions is not constrained or delayed. - Jeff Eisen has agreed to coordinate our SCAN State Committees. We are identifying key activists in various states and helping to connect them and provide them with tools to educate and organize in their respective states. Are you busy working by yourself to promote stem cell research? Do you want to become more active but aren't sure how to proceed? Please email Jeff at my address below to discuss getting involved. - We continue to work to sign up "SCAN Partners" in the belief that all the grassroots advocacy groups are more effective when we cooperate and coordinate our activities. Is your group a "Partner" ? If not, contact me, [log in to unmask] to become one. New Officers: David Eagleton, of St.Louis has agreed to function on our Board of directors as SCAN' s Treasurer. Welcome and Thank you!. Idelle Datlof Executive Director ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn