[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PETER MORTON EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH TESTIMONIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I recently attended an event 
on stem cell research in Minnesota and had the opportunity to hear 
patient advocate, Peter Morton, speak. Mr. Morton shared his moving 
story which highlights the importance of expanding embryonic stem cell 
research. Stem cell research provides millions of Americans and their 
families with hope for a life without the pain and suffering that 
accompanies currently incurable diseases such as juvenile diabetes, 
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injuries.
  Expanding this vital research must be a priority for Congress. I 
submit an edited version of Peter Morton's statement to the Record 
today as a valuable and powerful testimony to the need for this 
critical research.

           EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH TESTIMONIAL 10/17/06

       Like more than 250,000 Americans, I am paralyzed from a 
     spinal cord injury.
       I've been paralyzed from the neck down and ventilator 
     dependent since a bike riding accident in 1995. I wasn't 
     going fast and the trail wasn't difficult. Likely due to some 
     mud on the trail, my front tire slipped, and in an instant I 
     was on the ground with a broken neck, paralyzed and unable to 
     breathe. If not for quick action by my brother, I would not 
     have survived. That day, I lost the lottery. Tomorrow, it 
     could just as easily be you.
       When I awoke the next day in the hospital, I couldn't move, 
     I couldn't feel, my head was in traction, and I had tubes in 
     my nose and mouth. All I could do was blink. In an instant I 
     had lost all my cherished independence, having to rely on 
     others for everything from simply a drink of water to all the 
     indignities of one's morning routine.
       Most people understand that paralysis means you can't move. 
     What they don't realize is that it also means you can't feel. 
     Further, all the body's systems are affected, causing 
     temperature and blood pressure instability as well as sexual, 
     bowel, and bladder dysfunction. In spite of all this, do you 
     know what the toughest part for me is now? . . . not being 
     able to touch my kids.
       Now, more that any other time in history, there is hope. 
     Embryonic stem cells hold the possibility of replacing the 
     cells killed by the injury. Very promising studies are being 
     performed around the world that demonstrate the potential of 
     embryonic stem cells to solve paralysis and many other 
     devastating illnesses. For humanitarian reasons, we simply 
     must pursue this potential.
       There is one other point that must be made. I cut my teeth 
     in the business world. When I was injured, I was the CFO of a 
     major brokerage operations company. In addition to their 
     humanitarian benefit, stem cells have the potential to be the 
     next medical industrial revolution. America has always been 
     the leader in medical technology. Minnesota in particular has 
     been called Medical Alley. America and Minnesota need to be 
     leading the way in stem cell research, not sitting on the 
     sidelines, watching the rest of the world pass us by.
       In closing, let me offer this: A generation ago, pioneers 
     in medical research developed in vitro fertilization, a 
     technique that has now enabled my wife and me to have two 
     beautiful children. My kids are living examples of the power 
     of medical research.
       I do not support slowing down the discoveries this research 
     offers to millions, and allowing other countries to surpass 
     America's leadership in medical technology.
       That's why I am speaking out now, for the next generation. 
     I don't want my children or anybody else's children to be 
     told one day, ``You are paralyzed, and will never move 
     again.''
       I support those who champion this important research and 
     thank them for helping change the future.

                          ____________________