Did you know that some kind of a fight over ESCR is going on in almost every
state? In CA Prop 71 has been stalled for 3 years by litigation. In Texas,
Florida and other southern states attempts are underway to criminalize it.
The AZ state legislature is run by right-wing "pro-cell" people.
This is not just a matter of "let the states do it" if you don't want
federal funding of anything.
In our last Board Meeting of the AZNPF we discussed the idea that we really
need to think internationally. Help will probably come from Israel,
Singapore or the UK, not the US. All we need is ONE cure for one disease
and this opposition will melt away. But while we wait you can help
Delaware if you want to.
Ray
PS - See the excellent video at end of this post
# 340 Monday, June 11, 2007 - DELAWARE: SMALL, MIGHTY, AND STANDING UP FOR
STEM CELLS
In the next few weeks, we will gain or lose a small but powerful friend of
research: the state of Delaware, the First State.
Does that matter? Stem cells are small too! Here is an example of what the
First state already is, and a preview of what may be.
"The Delaware Biotechnology Institute is a partnership among government,
academia and industry to help establish the First State as a center of
excellence in biotechnology and the life sciences. The Institute mission is
to facilitate a biotechnology network of people and facilities to enhance
existing academic and private-sector research, catalyze unique
cross-disciplinary research and education initiatives, and to foster the
entrepreneurship that creates high-quality jobs."
(http://www.dbi.udel.edu/)
Unfortunately, Delaware stem cell research has been under assault from the
same ultra-conservative religious ideologues we have met so many times
before.
A highly publicized campaign, "A Rose and a Prayer" has inundated
legislators and the media. In a clever propaganda stunt, legislators were
sent one or more long-stemmed roses, (Thorny issue: what do you do with a
three-foot rose from a religious group? If you toss it in the trash, you may
look sacrilegious; if you put it in a vase, you have to keep explaining
where it is from) AND legislators are told publicly they are being prayed
for to make the "right" decision, meaning to vote against the research we
support. Church members sign up on public lists promising to pray for x many
hours around the clock. Priests from the altar and mass mailings of post
cards exhort Delaware citizens to contact their legislators.
There it is folks, a classic example of a special interest group dominating
the legislature-they even have their own pet law, to criminalize SCNT
research!
Fortunately, Delaware also has citizens like Stephanie Hansen, founder of
Stem Cell Go (www.StemCellGo.com). I spoke to Ms. Hansen recently, and I
hope she won't mind if I say what made her such a strong advocate. Just one
year ago, Stephanie's father died of Lou Gehrig's disease.
How shallow and empty the propaganda tricks of the opposition are, when
compared to the grim reality we all face if ignorance prevails. When medical
research is blocked by ideology, real people suffer. Ms. Hansen is fighting
on behalf of families in America and around the world who might benefit from
cures brought by stem cell research.
Fortunately too, Delaware is also blessed with intelligent and caring
legislators like Senator Robert L. Venables (D-Laurel) and Representative
Debbie Hudson
(R-Wilmington), the kind of fighting friends you want beside you in a
legislative battle.
Their good bill, the Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act (SB 5), has already
passed the Senate, and the Governor, Ann Minner, Delaware's first woman
Governor, is a strong supporter of stem cell research.
The bad bill, the anti-science bill, HB 76, has been sent back for more
work-in its present shape, it not only criminalized the research, but even
the IVF procedure itself-including the Snowflake Babies Adoption program!
Even its author admitted it needed a little work, so it is going back to the
drawing board-but it may return-unless we head it off at the pass.
The GOOD bill right now has passed the Senate and is at the 50% level in the
House of Representatives. Just a couple votes either way could mean the
difference between a state in full official support-advancing the research--
or not.
The Coalition for the Advancement for Medical Research (CAMR) has already
taken a stand on behalf of Delaware.
In a public letter, Amy Comstock CAMR's Vice President for State
Legislation, says:
March 20, 2007
The Honorable Pamela Maier
12 Chadd Road
Newark, DE 19711 Attention: Stephanie Mantegna via facsimile at
302-739-7349
Dear Representative Maier:
I am writing on behalf of Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research
(CAMR) regarding legislation currently before the Delaware General Assembly.
Our coalition and its 100 members strongly support the Delaware Regenerative
Medicine Act (SB 5), but we oppose the Delaware Human Cloning Prohibition
Act (HB 76). CAMR represents the voices of patients, scientists, physicians
and academic institutions across the country in the debate over stem cell
research and the future of regenerative medicine. We have grassroots
members from patient and other advocacy organizations in every state in the
nation, including Delaware.
We join with patient groups, leading scientists, the National Academy of
Sciences, and a large majority of the American people in opposing human
reproductive cloning and implantation. The Delaware Human Cloning
Prohibition Act (HB 76), however, goes far beyond banning reproductive
cloning by prohibiting somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) research. SCNT
is an important procedure that is fundamentally different than reproductive
cloning and aims to save and improve lives. For this reason, CAMR strongly
opposed HB 76.
We believe the better approach is offered through the Delaware Regenerative
Medicine Act (SB 5). This bill not only would promote stem cell research in
Delaware, but also contains provisions to ban human reproductive cloning
without banning SCNT. SCNT could lead to dramatic new treatments and cures
for now incurable diseases and medical conditions. SCNT could be used to
help nearly 100 million Americans suffering from cancer, Alzheimer's,
diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, ALS, and other
devastating conditions for which treatments and cures must still be found.
The strongest and most effective ban on human reproductive cloning is one
which aims to prevent implantation and human asexual reproduction that
results from implantation. Any attempt to intervene with prohibitions prior
to implantation effectively ends stem cell research that could save lives.
We are encouraged by the recent reversal of the ban on SCNT research in Iowa
and encourage the state of Delaware to move forward with important stem cell
research efforts by passing SB 5 rather than take a step back by passing
prohibitive legislation such as HB 76.
Sincerely,
Amy Comstock Rick
Vice President for State Legislation
cc: Members of the House Health and Human Development Committee
What needs to be done? Call or write JUST ONE letter (sample follows) and
email it (or ground mail it) to each of the following eight key legislators:
Dennis Williams - 1st Representative District; Phone (302) 764-1812; email:
[log in to unmask]; Address: 3414 N. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE
19802
Helene Keeley - 3rd Representative District; Phone (302) 655-7071; email:
[log in to unmask]; Address: 21 Servan Court, Wilmington, DE 19805
Robert Valihura - 10th Representative District; Phone (302) 888-1253; email:
[log in to unmask]; Address: 11 Laurel Ridge Lane, Wilmington, DE
19807
Larry Mitchell - 13th Representative District; Phone (302) 995-7695; email:
[log in to unmask]; Address:1234 Sycamore Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19805
Robert Gilligan - 19th Representative District; Phone (302) 999-8722; email:
[log in to unmask]; Address: 2628 Sherwood Drive, Wilmington DE
19808
Nick Manolakos - 20th Representative District; Phone unlisted; email:
[log in to unmask]; Address: 227 Charleston Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808
Nancy Wagner - 31st Representative District: Phone (302) 734-1823; email:
[log in to unmask]: Address: 283 Troon Road, Dover, DE 19904
George Carey - 36th Representative District: Phone (302) 684-8358; email:
[log in to unmask]; Address: 24625 Sugar Hill Road, Milford, DE 19963
Want to do EVEN MORE?
How about a letter to the editor? (Remember, out of state letters are
welcome; always be sure to include your PHONE NUMBER. They may or may not
call you, but without the number, they usually trash the letter. Remember
too, even if they do not run your letter, you are educating the editor when
you write-and that matters, a lot.
Here is a sample letter:
Dear Editor:
As____________________________ (state your connection with research support:
for me, it would be "as the father of a paralyzed young man) I strongly
support the Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act (SB 5).
Stem cell research may be the greatest advance in the history of medicine,
and Delaware deserves to be part of that effort: as we seek to find cures
for devastating disease and crippling injuries, like cancer, paralysis,
Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's disease, and more.
SB 5 is a piece of legislation that will live on, a legacy of hope, to bring
continuing benefits to all the citizens of Delaware, and indeed the world.
Thank you for supporting, Senate Bill 5, far-reaching legislation America
needs.
All best,
Your Name
Letters to the Editor
The News Journal
Letters to the Editor
Box 15505
Wilmington, DE 19850
[log in to unmask]
Signed, address, phone number
Delaware Coast Press
P.O. Box 309
3712 Highway 1
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
[log in to unmask]
Include your name, address and phone number
Coastal Point
P.O. Box 1324
Ocean View, DE 19970
[log in to unmask]
(No special email for Letters to the Editor. Darin McCann is the Editor,
though) Include name and phone number
The Leader and State Register
P.O. Box 1130
Seaford, DE 19973
[log in to unmask]
The Sussex Countian
P.O. Box 40
13 South Front Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
Editorial Fax: 302-856-0925
(No email for Letters to the Editor)
Seaford Star
628 West Stein Highway
Seaford, DE 19973
Fax: 302-629-9243
(No email for Letters to the Editor)
Laurel Star
628 West Stein Highway
Seaford, DE 19973
Fax: 302-629-9243
(No email for Letters to the Editor)
Milford Beacon
Editor
12 South Walnut Street
Milford, DE 19963
Fax: 302-422-2717
All letters must be signed and include a phone number
The Cape Gazette
P.O. Box 213
Lewes, DE 19958
Fax: 302-645-1664
[log in to unmask]
Letters must be signed, include a phone number, and be less than 750 words
Dover Post
P.O. Box 664
Dover, DE 19903
Fax: 302-678-8291
[log in to unmask]
Letters must be signed and include a daytime phone number
Better Years
[log in to unmask]
Middletown Transcript
[log in to unmask]
The Greenville Community News
P.O. Box 549
Hockessin, DE 19707
[log in to unmask]
Fax: 302-239-7033
350 words; signed, home address, day and evening phone number, must state
specifically that the letter is to the Greenville Community News
Millcreek Community News
(same as the Greenville Community News)
Hockessin Community News
(same as the Greenville Community News)
Brandywine West Community News
(same as the Greenville Community News)
Brandywine East Community News
(same as the Greenville Community News)
Stemcellgo
Be a lifesaver
Susan is a beautiful 8 year old, happy and full of life. Susan has Juvenile
Diabetes. She has become accustomed to the blood tests and daily injections
that she must take in order to survive. She does not quite understand that
even with these injections she still faces long term health problems such as
blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and more. She cannot begin to grasp
why a small group of political activists have been able to block and delay
her best hope for a cure, not just a treatment, for her and millions of
other people that are affected by this disease.
Now imagine a world where diabetics could get an injection of stem cells,
imprinted with their genetic information to prevent rejection, that then
grow new insulin-producing pancreas cells! This could cure and not just
treat diabetes. Others may grow new heart muscle damaged in a heart attack,
or brain tissue damaged in a stroke, from Parkinson's disease, or any of a
host of other diseases. Scientists believe that embryonic stem cell research
holds enormous promise for just this type of treatment.
Millions may die or suffer needlessly each year that this research is
delayed by these activists. Polls show that an overwhelming majority of
Americans support this research. This support is across party lines and
religious beliefs. Only a small handful of activists are trying to impose
their views on the rest of us. They stoop to misinformation and lying to
block required research. Only if well- informed, reasonable citizens of
Delaware take action by contacting their state representatives and demanding
action can this promise of a cure be realized. You or a loved one's life or
quality of life may depend on it.
Act Now. Click on this link to take action by contacting your Delaware State
Senator or Representative.
http://www.stemcellgo.com/how-to-help-pass-sb-5/
By Don Reed
www.stemcellbattles.com
Los Angeles - Hollywood director Jerry Zucker has created and launched a
stem cell ad aimed at President Bush's veto threats of the bipartisan Stem
Cell Research Enhancement Act overwhelmingly passed today by the US House of
Representative. The 247-176 House vote echoes public opinion. This ad
directly addresses the question of what to do with the thousands of
fertilized eggs which are discarded every year at fertility clinics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QiO6cl8WOk
Jordan D. Markwith
CGC | Chad Griffin Consulting, Inc.
Public Affairs, Strategic Communications & Advertising
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