In the discussions among politicians, scientists and some religions’ leaders, a key aspect is often overlooked: it’s a "patients helping patients" situation, and as long as the embryonic stem cell research takes place by informed consent of the donors, there is absolutely no reason to prohibit government funding of the research. 

"Among the couples who did not want to increase their family, 90% support the donation of embryos to stem cell research in a Catholic country, and, most importantly, almost no couple wants just to destroy the embryos," Menendez said.

Pablo Menendez is director of the Spanish Stem Cell Bank in Granada, Spain.

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I find myself yearning to be writing about new scientific discoveries, planned human clinical trials, and general excitement and anticipation as to what secrets the paths of exploration are revealing. I am tired of politics, especially the brand practiced in Washington. I am watching the uneven progress in the states, anticipating endless legal challenges should funds be allocated, and getting a little impatient. Impatient, not for discoveries and cures, but impatient for the floodgates of funding to finally flow unrestricted. Next year it will be thirty years since I was first diagnosed with M.S. so I am entitled to be impatient.

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Dear Governor,

Please make a public declaration that you will veto any legislation such as HB 1065 which will place a ban on state funding of embryonic stem cell research. Even opponents acknowledge that embryonic stem cell research holds the most promise, that’s why they are constantly working to find ways to get adult stem cell to behave like embryonic stem cells.

But enough is enough. We don’t have time to fiddle around. Embryonic stem cell research has been held up at the federal level for 6 years now, and no suitable substitute has been developed that works as well as embryonic stem cells. Republicans in the state legislature ought to stop the symbolism at the expense of REAL Lives.

Geron will start it’s clinical trials with embryonic stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury later this year. Clearly actual treatments with embryonic stem cells are already in the works. As a soccer mom who’s son became paralyzed from a collision while playing soccer, I plead with you to keep the doors open to state funding for embryonic stem cell research so my son may walk again one day.

I trust that you will live up to your pre-election promise to support embryonic stem cell research in the state of Florida.

Thank you so much,

Faye

What the anti embryonic stem cell research folks have been up to at the federal level with S 30 is frantically being copied at the state level in Florida down to the Orwellian naming: "Hope" Act.

These types of sneaky measures occur every time an embryonic stem cell research bill is introduced at the federal and/or state levels. Most recently It has happened in GA and Texas as well as Florida.

The Florida bills HB 1065 and SB 2496 are virtual clones of S30.

None of this deadly game playing is surprising given the fact that opponents of embryonic stem cell research are fighting a losing battle against 70% of Floridians who support embryonic stem cell research. As I’ve said before: STOP the symbolism at the Expense of REAL LIVES!!

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Excitement is building—what an honor to be here, in support of the perpetual illness and injury philosophy—thanks to the efforts of those we honor tonight, cure has been put off for years to come.  

Not only are we protecting the sacred existence of microscopic dots in Petri dishes everywhere, but also the jobs of those who depend on chronic disease and disability. 

Think of it—do we want to put our hospitals and doctors out of work, or diminish the profits of our health care industry? Chronic injury is the very bedrock of—what’s that? Oh, sorry! We’re running late, let’s go inside, I’ll fill you in on the gossip as we go. 

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Those were the words spoken by newly elected Senator Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. after the 63-34 vote in favor of S 5, opening up the door to federally funded embryonic stem cell research beyond the old, pre-2001 stem cell lines which are currently allowed to be used in NIH funded research.

S 5 will be voted on in the House soon, where it is expected to pass with a huge margin as well. About a month ago an earlier version (HR 3), had already passed by  253-174 . S 5 includes a provision for adult stem cell research as well as embryonic stem cell research, in order to broaden the bill’s appeal to additional lawmakers.

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Contact: Bernard Siegel of Genetics Policy Institute, +1-305-801-4928, bernard@genpol.org

WASHINGTON, April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is a statement by Bernard Siegel, executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute: 

Senators Norm Coleman (news, bio, voting record) and Johnny Isakson (news, bio, voting record) of Georgia filed S.30, an alleged compromise stem cell research bill they have euphemistically titled the "Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research" Act or "Hope Act" for short. 

In reality, it offers scant hope to patients. Utilizing insidious language directly taken from the talking point playbook of the research foes, the bill would drive the National Institute of Health to push dubious research alternatives to embryonic stem cell research. 

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Deception, misinformation and delay is the name of the game for the anti-ESCR folks. They have introduced decoy bills galore in the 6 year history of our effort to overturn the Bush imposed restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. The newest bill, S 30, is one that is sponsored by both Isakson and Coleman.

To their credit both have admitted that the current Bush restrictions are extremely detrimental to the cutting edge science of embryonic stem cell research and that this science holds enormous promise. Each had already independently come up with a bill, but Isakson’s proposal was merged with the Coleman "HOPE" bill.

The deception starts with the naming of this bill. Using the term HOPE is literally offensive if it isn’t what the folks with incurable and deadly conditions actually consider "hope". (Read on …)