[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE 
          PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 109-127)

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 810, the Stem 
Cell Research Enhancement Act, and in support of overturning the 
President's veto of this legislation. Unfortunately, what should be a 
debate about promising new research and technology that could lead to 
cures and treatments for countless diseases and disorders has been 
overshadowed, yet again, by a debate about when life begins.
  These stem cells do not come from fetuses as some people mistakenly 
believe. They are blastocysts, 3- to 5-day-old embryos made up of so 
small a number of cells they can fit on a head of a pin. This 
legislation does not allow these embryos to be cloned or created for 
stem cell research. Therefore, there is no risk of rogue scientists 
performing illegal or unethical experiments.
  In addition, the authors of H.R. 810 have taken all precautions to 
ensure that safeguards are in place for the ethical use of embryonic 
stem cells. The only embryos permitted to be used under H.R. 810 are 
those that will come from in vitro fertilization, IVF, donors who no 
longer plan on using the embryos and who provide their written consent.
  Every year hundreds of thousands of leftover embryos from IVF are 
thrown away. Instead of tossing them in the trash, why shouldn't the 
owners of the embryos be able to give their consent to have these 
embryos used for research? We should not be denying their right to help 
save lives.
  Those of us who support embryonic stem cell research unfortunately 
will not be able to overturn the President's veto. We, however, must 
not give up. To all Americans who support saving lives, who want to 
cure diseases and disorders that are plaguing their loved ones, and who 
care about groundbreaking ethical health research, I ask you to take 
this issue to your elected Representative and tell them that you demand 
this legislation become law in the next Congress.




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