[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN SUPPORT OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, we will vote on a bill 
to provide changes to a merciless Federal stem cell policy, changes 
that are still relevant and still necessary despite the recent 
discovery of stem cells derived from amniotic fluid cells.
  To be sure, this is an important discovery, but the same scientists 
championing this research have stressed the amniotic cells are not a 
substitute for embryonic stem cells. While they hold the great promise 
of turning into some cell types, only embryonic stem cells can divide 
indefinitely and evolve into any cell type in the body.
  If anything, the recent amniotic stem cell study proves that it is 
critical to explore all kinds of stem cell research, since advancements 
in one area of stem cell research could lead to lifesaving discoveries 
in others. By prohibiting Federal funds of more embryonic stem cell 
research, the current policy shuts the door on this collaborative 
research and slams it in the face of millions of Americans suffering 
from incurable diseases.
  We have the opportunity today to advance this promising research that 
could offer cures for the scourges of our times. To purposefully keep 
the doors to a cure closed is a patent failure of our responsibility to 
ease human suffering from scores of incurable diseases.

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