[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           STEM CELL RESEARCH

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, there is no ban or gag on stem cell 
research. In fact, more than 15,000 patients will benefit from stem 
cell research this year. However, we need to distinguish between the 
types of stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research has resulted in no 
cures for diseases. Aside from the destruction of embryos, embryonic 
stem cells present two significant problems, tumors and rejection.
  The other type of stem cells, adult stem cells, we are hearing, can 
be found in many places: umbilical cord blood, fat tissue, bone marrow, 
muscle, the spleen and baby teeth, just to name a few.
  Already doctors have treated diseases with adult stem cells in over 
45 clinical trials, and extracting them does not harm anyone; and they 
are successfully being used. These cells do not present the serious 
ethical concerns and medical dangers of embryo-destructive research.
  We need to focus our efforts on adult stem cells, not speculative and 
unethical research of embryonic stem cells.

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