Congressman Bartlett Votes “No” Against Destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Legislation, S. 5
“We will find out this summer if advancing ethical embryonic stem cell research that is supported by the vast majority of the public is more important than political maneuvering and demagoguery.”
Washington, Jun 7, 2007 -
U.S. Congressmen Roscoe Bartlett, Ph.D. (R-6-MD), who has introduced an alternative stem cell research bill, H.R. 322, voted “no” against S. 5 “because it’s scientifically unnecessary and unethical to sacrifice human embryos to get cells for embryonic stem cell research.” H.R. 322 has 128 cosponsors. Congressman Bartlett is the only Member of Congress who earned both a Master's and a Doctorate in Human Physiology and has taken courses in advanced embryology.
S. 5 was approved by a vote of 247 to 176, well short of the margin to override a veto. The Senate approved S. 5 by a vote of 63-34, one vote short of overriding a veto. In January, the House had approved H.R. 3 by a vote of 253 to 174. H.R. 3 was a similar bill – but without the provisions for alternative non-destructive embryonic stem cell research from H.R. 322 added to S. 5 by the Senate.
Congressman Bartlett said, “Science and medical research should serve life, not sacrifice life. S. 5 is based on an outdated premise. The science has advanced much faster than the political debate in Congress. It is not necessary to sacrifice the life of human embryos to obtain cells that could become embryonic stem cell lines. It is wrong to use federal taxpayer dollars for research which offends the morals and ethics of millions of Americans. However, it’s also wrong for anyone to argue that only adult stem cells or only embryonic stem cells will produce treatments for patients.”
“I support the President’s promised veto of S. 5,” said Congressman Bartlett. “Congress will fail to override it. Every one in the Congress, the media and Americans closely following this issue knows this. After these events, I am hopeful that my colleagues and the leadership in the House and the Senate will embrace the common ground represented by H.R. 322 and schedule it for votes. The Senate’s addition of the provisions in H.R. 322 to require the federal government to fund research into alternative methods to obtain stem cells without creating or destroying human embryos recognizes that a law is necessary in order for this research to proceed. H.R. 322 would accelerate federal research into ethical embryonic stem cell research. H.R. 322 would be approved by Congress and signed into law by the President. We will find out this summer if advancing ethical embryonic stem cell research that is supported by the vast majority of the public is more important than political maneuvering and demagoguery.”
“As a scientist, I have consulted with many of the nation’s top researchers,” said Congressman Bartlett . “Most scientists believe that embryonic stem cells offer the most potential for understanding debilitating and deadly diseases and conditions. After more than thirty years of research, adult stem cells are being used successfully for more than 70 treatments of patients. Seven years after the creation of human embryonic stem cell lines, no treatments for patients have been developed from embryonic stem cells. It’s impossible to project if a seven-year old will grow up to become a star quarterback. Similarly, only more time and more research will determine if embryonic or pluripotent stem cells will produce more, different or better treatments than adult stem cells.”
Congressman Bartlett said, ““In 2001, I confirmed with leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health that it should not be necessary to harm or kill embryos to obtain cells for research," said Congressman Bartlett. “Since then, I have pursued and I have introduced legislation, H.R. 322, that authorizes federal funding for research to derive pluripotent (embryonic-like) stem cell lines without creating or destroying human embryos – an ethical process that respects the sanctity of life. ”
A majority of more than 400 fertility clinics in the United States are now offering patients the option of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) according to a recent study http://www.fertstert.org/article/PIIS0015028206038933/abstract. In PGD, one or two cells are taken from an early embryo and more than 2,000 times a perfectly healthy baby has been born. Two researchers, Lanza and Verlinsky, have produced human embryonic stem cell lines from single cells. Since the President vetoed destructive embryonic stem cell research in 2006, more than 100 research papers have been published with advances in non-destructive stem cell research.
Last year, 100 Senators and 273 House members voted to pass similar legislation to H.R. 322 introduced by Congressman Bartlett (S. 2754/H.R. 5526). S. 2754 did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass on suspension in the House.
There is no ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. On August 9, 2001, President Bush lifted a ban imposed by President Clinton and authorized federal funding on the 60 embryonic stem cell lines created up until that date. The federal government currently provides over $600 million annually for stem cell research and has provided $196 million in federal funds for human embryonic stem cell research alone from FY2003 – FY2008.
“These lines won’t last forever,” said Congressman Bartlett. “There are now only 21 lines eligible for federal funding. That is why it is important to approve federal funding for ethical embryonic stem cell research.”
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