[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2007

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, no single action this Congress could take 
would have a more profound, more life-affirming impact than allocating 
federal funds for biomedical scientists to conduct research with human 
embryonic stem cells. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, brain and spinal cord 
disorders, diabetes, cancer--at least 58 diseases could potentially be 
cured through stem cell research. Diseases that touch every family here 
in America and throughout the world.
  And Mr. Speaker, I stand here as someone who understands the promise 
of biomedical research all too well. Having been diagnosed with ovarian 
cancer by chance on an unrelated doctor's visit two decades ago, I know 
first-hand how this research can change lives--it saved mine. It can 
quite literally mean the difference between life and death. Between 
hope and despair.
  To be clear, I think it is safe to say that every Member of this body 
is excited about the recent news regarding the scientific potential in 
amniotic stem cells. One can only imagine the medical breakthroughs 
this research has in store for us.
  But scientists tell us it is no replacement for embryonic research--
just as the limited number of stem cell lines President Bush made 
available in 2001 were not a replacement for full federal funding of 
this research. Indeed, this finding simply reminds us how critical it 
is that we pursue any and every kind of research that can contribute to 
our understanding of these diseases--so long as we can ensure it is 
performed with the utmost dignity and ethical responsibility. That is 
what ``expanding stem cell research'' is all about.
  And for sure, this legislation does just that--permitting peer-
reviewed federal funds to only be used with public oversight and by 
only allowing research on embryos that were originally created for 
fertility treatment purposes and that are in excess of clinical need 
and will otherwise be destroyed.
  I believe the real moral issue here is whether the United States 
Congress is going to stand in the way of science and preclude the 
scientists from doing lifesaving, ethical research. We do not live in 
the Dark Ages--and nor should our public policy. With this vote, this 
Congress has an opportunity to show the world we are a country that 
believes science has the power to advance life.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe we are such a country. The world has always 
looked to America as a beacon of hope precisely because of our capacity 
to use our abundant resources to promote the best ideas in the world. 
Let's continue that tradition. Let's lead the way--let's support this 
bill.

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