[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E138-E139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
  Through the election, the American people have shown their 
overwhelming support for the expansion of stem cell research. This 
legislation will expand lifesaving research and ensures that the 
Federal Government can implement ethical guidelines. I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of H.R. 3, and I applaud Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader 
Hoyer, and Congresswoman DeGette for bringing forward this legislation 
which reflects the priorities and the needs of the American people.
  This bill will provide hope and opportunity for millions of Americans 
suffering from chronic and life threatening health conditions. This 
legislation will also ensure that the Federal Government can implement 
ethical guidelines over federally funded research, which will help to 
set high standards for all research. To be clear, H.R. 3 only allows 
Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in cases where the 
cells were created for fertility treatment and will otherwise be 
discarded.
  The expansion of funding to stem cell research has the power to make 
a real difference in the lives of Americans. Stem cells offer 
remarkable potential contributions to medical science and improve the 
lives of millions of people who suffer from incurable diseases such as 
juvenile diabetes, Alzheimers's, Parkinson's, AIDS, and spinal cord 
injuries. It may also help us to understand abnormal cell growth that 
occurs in cancer, as well as change the way we develop drugs and test 
them for safety and potential efficacy.
  Recent research at Wake Forest University has shown that stem cells 
obtained from amniotic fluid have been able to differentiate into 
several cell types. This is an exciting development, but we cannot stop 
there. According to the study's director, Dr. Anthony Atala, it is 
essential to expand embryonic stem cell research, which is why he 
supports H.R. 3. Attached is Dr. Atala's letter in support of this 
important bill. In addition, I also submit an edited version of patient 
advocate, Peter Morton's valuable and powerful testimony to the need 
for this critical research.
  It is imperative that we move our health care policy in a new 
direction and support efforts to improve the quality of life. This 
research is supported by 72 percent of Americans and the majority of 
the Congress. H.R. 3 is supported by over 200 patient groups, 
universities, and scientific societies, and has been endorsed by more 
than 75 national and local newspapers and eighty Nobel Laureates.
  It is time to stop making policies based on ideology. The American 
people have spoken, and we can no longer delay the implementation of 
this vital legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
H.R. 3.
                                         Wake Forest Institute for


                                        Regenerative Medicine,

                               Winston-Salem, NC, January 8, 2007.
     Hon. Diana DeGette,
     Hon. Michael Castle,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representatives DeGette and Castle: I am writing in 
     regard to my research that was published in Nature 
     Biotechnology that found that stem cells obtained from 
     amniotic fluid have been able to differentiate into several 
     cell types. This research has the potential to open up an 
     important field of inquiry that could be critically important 
     to the development of treatments within the field of 
     regenerative medicine.
       I understand that some may be interpreting my research as a 
     substitute for the need to pursue other forms of regenerative 
     medicine therapies, such as those involving embryonic stem 
     cells. I disagree with that assertion. It is very possible 
     that research involving embryonic stem cells will have 
     critical implications for advancing research into amniotic 
     fluid stem cells. It is essential that National Institute of 
     Health-funded researchers are able to fully pursue embryonic 
     stem cell research as a complement to research into other 
     forms of stem cells.
       Your legislation, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 
     2007, H.R. 3, would update the current federal embryonic stem 
     cell policy and allow federally funded researchers to conduct 
     research on an expanded set of embryonic stem cells within an 
     ethical framework. I believe this legislation would speed 
     science in the regenerative medicine field, and I support its 
     passage.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Anthony Atala,
     Director.
                                  ____


                Embryonic Stem Cell Research Testimonial

       Like more than 250,000 Americans, I am parazlyzed from a 
     spinal cord injury.
       I've been paralyzed from 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

[[Page E139]]

     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 tecnology.
       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.

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