![]() And today NIH is authorized to spend approximately $1.8 billion annually on new protocols, and the virus is largely under control in the United States. For years, the Government tossed this issue around as a political football until a massive grassroots effort forced legislators to respond. Witness the overwhelming opposition to Government funding of AIDS research in the early 1980's. Now, controversy over the treatment of certain diseases is nothing new in this country. ![]() We need to clear the path for them as quickly as possible. For the true biological miracles that researchers have only begun to foresee, medical science must turn to undifferentiated stem cells. But those are cells that have significantly differentiated that is, they are no longer pluripotent or capable of transforming into other cell types. Stem cell therapy is also being used against certain types of cancer. They have been taken from umbilical cords and become healthy red blood cells used to cure sickle-cell anemia. ![]() Now, treatment with stem cells has already begun. So, for those reasons, the ban on federally funded human embryonic stem cell research should be lifted as quickly as possible.Īgain, why has the use of discarded embryos for research suddenly become such an issue? Is it more ethical for a woman to donate unused embryos that will never become human beings or to let them be tossed away as so much garbage when they could help save thousands of lives? Within 1 to 2 years, a sufficient number could be gathered and made available to investigators. One very important factor is that this process would not be open-ended. Under NIH supervision, scientists should be allowed to take cells only from women who freely consent to their use for research. In fertility clinics, women are given a choice of what to do with unused fertilized embryos: they can be discarded, donated to research, or frozen for future use. Now, fortunately, stem cells are readily available and easily harvested. Human trials should be conducted either on the NIH campus or in carefully monitored clinical facilities. That will avoid abuses by for-profit corporations, avoid secrecy and destructive competition between laboratories, and ensure the widest possible dissemination of scientific breakthroughs. To that end, the work should be turned over to the Federal Government through the National Institutes of Health. But no obstacle should stand in the way of responsible investigation of their possibilities. And much basic research needs to be done before they can be sent to the front lines in the battle against diseases. Their extraordinary potential is a recent discovery. They have been called the body's self-repair kit. These cells have the potential to cure disease and conditions ranging from Parkinson's and MS to diabetes, heart disease, to Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's, even spinal cord injuries like my own. In other words, these clinics have existed in relative peace for nearly 40 years, and I do not understand why all of a sudden there is a huge issue about it, now that discarded embryos will be used for research instead of just being thrown into the garbage.Ī critical factor in the quality of life for present and future generations will be what we do with human embryonic stem cells. I would start by saying that in vitro fertility clinics have been around since the 1950's, and as far as I am aware, even though the Pope, of course, stated a position against it and it is a sin for a Catholic to use in vitro fertilization, there has not been an enormous outcry or protest. I appreciate the opportunity to be here to testify. So, we thank you for all of your extraordinary work here, and we thank you for being available to testify. Possible regeneration of your spinal column to enable you to fly again. ![]() I know that this is a matter of-well, it is of life concern to you. The current issue of Time magazine has your comments and pays special tribute to what you have done. We noted with America generally and the world the traumatic experience you had with your accident on horseback and the severing of your spinal column, but you have come back to lead this crusade in a very inspirational way. Reeve, specially for your personal crusade on stem cells. Senator Specter: We now turn to our third panel. STATEMENT OF CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ACTOR/DIRECTOR CHAIRMAN, CHRISTOPHER REEVE PARALYSIS FOUNDATION NIH Testimony (Christopher Reeve Homepage)Ĭhristopher Reeve Testimony: ApIn a Senate hearing on the subject of "Federal Funding For Stem Cell Research", Christopher Reeve testified before the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations in favor of the United States government funding embryonic stem cell research. ![]()
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