[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 6932]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           STEM-CELL RESEARCH

  (Mr. ARCURI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, this week the President took a critical step 
to boost groundbreaking stem-cell research and restore scientific 
integrity across government. The President signed an executive order 
lifting the ban on Federal funding for promising embryonic system cell 
research. In doing so he affirmed the administration's support of 
finding cures for diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease 
and diabetes that cause pain and suffering all over the world.
  Many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about or are 
strongly opposed to this research. The President understands their 
concern and respects their point of view. That is why the 
administration will develop and rigorously enforce strict ethical 
guidelines with zero tolerance for misuse and abuse. This order does 
not open the door for cloning for human reproduction in any way. We are 
all opposed to that. Rather, it unleashes and unharnesses the potential 
of what this country can accomplish to eliminate the ravages of these 
diseases and the effects they impose upon humanity.

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