Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research holds promise for ALS and may lead to new discoveries and possibly additional therapies for the disease. However, while stem cell research has potential for ALS, more work needs to be done before its potential can be determined.

Current federal policy, implemented by President Bush on August 9, 2001, limits the number of stem cell lines available for federally funded research. At the time the policy was implemented, there were an estimated 78 lines available for research, but today only an estimated 19 are available. In addition, these 19 lines are contaminated by mouse feeder cells, making their therapeutic use for humans uncertain.

Given the potential that stem cell research holds for ALS, the current policy should be reviewed and expanded so that we truly can determine whether this research can lead to new discoveries and treatments for ALS.

On Tuesday, May 24, 2005 the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to expand the number of embryonic stem cell lines available for research under the current federal guidelines. The legislation, H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, was passed by a bipartisan 238-194 vote. The House also passed, by a 431-1 vote, legislation that would increase funding for research on stem cells derived from umbilical cords. The bill, H.R. 2520, also would establish a national database of blood units taken from umbilical cords to help match donors with recipients.

Both bills now move to the Senate where leaders have yet to schedule a vote on the issue. Supporters of the issue including Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA), who introduced a companion embryonic stem cell bill, S. 471, have urged the Senate leadership to hold a vote on the legislation, and it is possible that it may be considered as an amendment to other legislation moving through the Senate. However, there is a possibility that Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) may filibuster the legislation, preventing a Senate vote. Senator Brownback is the lead sponsor of the Human Cloning Prohibition Act (S. 658), which would restrict embryonic stem cell research.

Action Item: Urge targeted Members of the Senate to support and cosponsor the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, (S. 471) and request that they ask Senate leaders to schedule a vote on the issue. Here is a sample text you can copy and paste into email when you use the Congress Calculator above:

INSERT Date

The Honorable (INSERT Senator’s Full Name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator (INSERT Senator’s Last Name):

I am writing to ask that you join me and others in our state in the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, by cosponsoring S. 471, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 and urging the Senate leadership to schedule a vote on this important legislation. The House passed the companion bill to S. 471 on May 24 by a bipartisan vote of 238-194.

I strongly support the expansion of the Administration's stem cell policy, which will prove to be vital in allowing scientists to fully develop the promise of embryonic stem cell research. Introduced by Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA), and cosponsored by more than 30 Senators, S. 471 would expand ethically our nation’s stem cell policy and permit the use of embryos originally created for fertility treatment upon the consent of those individuals for whom the embryos were created.

S. 471 would enable researchers to explore the promise and potential that stem cells have to offer. This is critically important for a disease such as ALS, for we currently do not know what causes ALS or how it can be prevented or cured. Moreover, only one drug, approved by the FDA in late 1995, currently is available to treat ALS. But we may be able to change this by expanding the research that is necessary to find treatments and a cure for ALS.

ALS is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord, ultimately resulting in a loss of voluntary muscle control, paralysis and death. The average life expectancy for people with ALS is two to five years from the time of diagnosis. But what makes ALS particularly devastating is that as people progressively lose the ability to walk, move their arms, talk and even breathe, their minds remain sharp; aware of the limits ALS has imposed on their lives. And as people with ALS, their families and caregivers continue their fight against the disease, each day they hold onto the hope that our nation will find effective treatments and a cure for ALS.

The thousands of Americans suffering from ALS are engaged in a race against time. It is our responsibility to make sure that they benefit as quickly as possible from the very best that science and technology has to offer. Given the enormous scientific potential of human embryonic stem cells, I ask you to cosponsor S. 471, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, and urge the Senate leadership to schedule a vote on this important issue.

Sincerely,

_________________________
Signature

Full Name (print):
Home Address:
City, State, Zip Code:

Also ask them to oppose efforts, such as the Brownback/Weldon Human Cloning Prohibition Act (S. 658/H.R. 1357), which would limit stem cell research.

Posted by Editor at October 22, 2006 01:24 PM

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