[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17256]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         WORLD STEM CELL SUMMIT

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, next week, scientists, researchers, 
industry leaders and advocates from around the world will gather in 
Detroit, MI, for the sixth annual World Stem Cell Summit. By bringing 
together experts in medicine, genetics, business, and economic 
development, the summit will give a boost to global efforts aimed at 
finding cures for debilitating and deadly diseases, as well as bringing 
the important economic benefits of bioscience. By choosing Detroit as 
the site of this year's summit, the organizers have made a powerful 
statement about Michigan's commitment to this vital area of scientific 
exploration.
  In 2008, Michigan voters approved a referendum protecting the ability 
of Michigan researchers to engage in research involving stem cells. 
This wise decision has already paid significant dividends. Researchers 
at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State 
University, and other Michigan institutions have made significant 
progress even in that short time. UM has established a consortium to 
aid the search for treatments and cures, and a UM researcher, Dr. Eva 
Feldman, last year obtained FDA approval for the first ever clinical 
trials on a stem cell therapy for ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. 
Researchers at MSU are advancing work on stem cell treatments for 
Parkinson's disease. At Wayne State, scientists are examining how stem 
cells can be made more useful for a wide variety of medical purposes. 
These and other institutions across the State are working hard to save 
and improve lives, and I congratulate them for their efforts.
  Michigan researchers will join others from across the country and 
around the world at next week's summit. They will examine not only the 
latest scientific advances but important subjects such as how stem cell 
research can contribute to economic development efforts, another area 
in which Michigan has quickly become a leader.
  I would like to welcome those who will travel to Detroit next week 
and thank them for the opportunity to show what Michigan has 
accomplished in the stem cell field. I wish them every success as they 
seek to protect the health and save the lives of the millions of people 
coping with diseases that stem cell research might one day cure.

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