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Here is what the PAN alert letter looks like: Jean and Ray ----- Original Message ----- From: "Parkinson's Action Network" <[log in to unmask]> To: "Parkinson's Action Network" <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 7:36 PM Subject: Please support ethical embryonic stem cell research > Thank you for using Parkinson's Action Network Mail System > > Message sent to the following recipients: > Senator Kyl > Senator McCain > Message text follows: > > Rayilyn Brown > 18507 N. Windfall Drive > Surprise, AZ 85374-8938 > > > July 18, 2007 > > [recipient address was inserted here] > > > Dear [recipient name was inserted here], > > As a member of the Parkinson's community, I support the incremental > provision to expand ethical embryonic stem cell research included in the > Labor-HHS appropriations bill by Senator Harkin and Senator Specter. > > This new provision simply moves the date of the current federal policy on > stem cell research from August 9, 2001, to June 15, 2007, while retaining > the strong ethical guidelines contained in S. 5. As you know, President > Bush issued a policy statement on August 9, 2001, which permitted federal > funding for research completed on stem cell lines created before that > date. > > > > In the nearly six years since the current federal policy was established, > limited stem cell lines have continued to be derived from excess embryos > at IVF clinics using private dollars. As a result of scientific advances > in the past six years, these privately-created embryonic stem cell lines > are more diverse and of higher quality than the 20 or so lines currently > available to federally funded researchers. > > This new section of the Labor-HHS appropriations bill will do exactly what > President Bush did six years ago in allowing federally-funded research to > go forward on stem cell lines that already exist and will continue to > exist, regardless of any act of Congress or the President. It is > particularly significant that the section includes a date that had already > passed before this provision was put forth to ensure that no new stem cell > lines could possibly be based on any federal action. > > This section also will limit federal funding to research on embryos that > were derived ethically - if there are any stem cell lines, privately > derived, in use right now that were derived in a coercive, unethical, or > immoral manner, those lines would not meet the guidelines of this > provision and could not be used in federally-funded research. > > Please know that this incremental measure is not a permanent solution, and > I urge the Senator to support an override of the President's veto of S. 5, > the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, or another permanent solution. > Until then, please support the Labor-HHS appropriations bill's approach to > increasing federal embryonic stem cell research by changing the date for > eligible lines. I appreciate the Senator's past and current support of > the Parkinson's community and hope to hear from you as to whether you > intend to support the Labor-HHS appropriations bill with this provision > when the bill comes before the Senate for a vote. > > Sincerely, > > > Rayilyn Brown, Board Member, Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's > Foundation 623-584-5869 > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn