[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1458-E1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ALTERNATIVE PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL THERAPIES ENHANCEMENT ACT

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 18, 2006

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, the issue of government funding of embryonic 
stem cell research is one of the most divisive issues facing the 
country. While I sympathize with those who see embryonic stem cell 
research as providing a path to a cure for the dreadful diseases that 
have stricken so many Americans, I strongly object to forcing those 
Americans who believe embryonic stem cell research is immoral to 
subsidize such research with their tax dollars.
  The main question that should concern Congress today is does the 
United States Government have the constitutional authority to fund any 
form of stem cell research. The clear answer to that question is no. A 
proper constitutional position would reject federal funding for stem 
cell research, while allowing the individual states and private 
citizens to decide whether to permit, ban, or fund this research. 
Therefore, I will vote to uphold President Bush's expected veto of H.R. 
810.
  Unfortunately, many opponents of embryonic stem cell research are 
disregarding the Constitution by supporting S. 2754, an ``acceptable'' 
alternative that funds non-embryonic stem cell research. While this 
approach is much less objectionable than funding embryonic stem cell 
research, it is still unconstitutional. Therefore, I must also oppose 
S. 2754.
  Federal funding of medical research guarantees the politicization of 
decisions about what types of research for what diseases will be 
funded. Thus, scarce resources will be allocated according to who has 
the most effective lobby rather than allocated on the basis of need or 
even likely success. Federal funding will also cause researchers to 
neglect potential treatments and cures that do not qualify for federal 
funds.
  In order to promote private medical research, I have introduced the 
Cures Can Be Found Act (H.R. 3444). H.R. 3444 promotes medical research 
by providing a tax credit for investments and donations to promote 
adult and umbilical cord blood stem cell research and providing a 
$2,000 tax credit to new parents for the donation of umbilical cord 
blood from which to extract stem cells. The Cures Can Be Found Act will 
ensure greater resources are devoted to this valuable research. The tax 
credit for donations of umbilical cord blood will ensure that medical 
science has a continuous supply of stem cells. Thus, this bill will 
help scientists discover new cures using stem cells and, hopefully, 
make routine the use of stem cells to treat formerly incurable 
diseases.
  H.R. 3444 will benefit companies like Prime Cell, which is making 
great progress in transforming non-embryonic stem cells into any cell 
type in the body. Prime Cell is already talking

[[Page E1459]]

to health care practitioners about putting its findings to use to help 
cure diseases.
  Companies like Prime Cell are continuing the great American tradition 
of private medical research that is responsible for many medical 
breakthroughs. For example, Jonas Salk, discoverer of the polio 
vaccine, did not receive one dollar from the federal government for his 
efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no question that forcing taxpayers to subsidize 
embryonic stem cell research violates basic constitutional principles. 
However, S. 2754 also exceeds Congress's constitutional authority and 
may even retard effective adult stem cell research. Therefore, I urge 
my colleagues to vote against S. 2754 and vote to uphold President 
Bush's veto of H.R. 810. Instead, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
3444, the Cures Can Be Found Act.

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