FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2005
Contact:  Joy Fox
(401) 732-9400 
 
LANGEVIN DISAPPOINTED ON STEM CELL VOTE DELAY

Remains encouraged that Senate will move legislation forward early in 2006

 
(Warwick, R.I.)–Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today reacted to the decision of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to delay a vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, expressing his commitment to ensuring that the bill is placed at the top of the Senate’s agenda in 2006, as promised. In July, Frist announced his support on the issue and pledged a vote this fall. Langevin sent a letter to Frist in May urging him to allow the Senate to consider S. 471. A nearly identical bill (H.R. 810) passed this spring in the House by a bipartisan vote of 238 to 194.

“I remain optimistic that the Senate leadership will stand by the pledge made today to move an embryonic stem cell bill forward early next year,” said Langevin. “Until this vote happens, however, I will continue to lobby for this legislation and the ground-breaking science it represents. The longer a vote is delayed, the full potential of embryonic stem cells is delayed, people will continue to suffer and the United States will continue to fall behind in this cutting edge science to other nations.”

This summer, Langevin was extremely encouraged by Frist’s support because it stood to benefit millions of Americans suffering from diseases and chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and heart disease among others, for which this research holds the promise of treatments or cures.

“I believe the door is still open for meaningful action on this critical issue,” continued Langevin. “We simply must provide our nation’s scientists with the tools they need to proceed down this historic path.”

Over four years ago, the Bush Administration enacted restrictive regulations that allow federal funding for research solely on those stem cell lines derived prior to August 2001. Earlier this year, Langevin and Representatives Mike Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which would direct the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health to expand funding of research to those stem cell lines derived after August 9, 2001. NIH will provide oversight for ethical and responsible research.

Under the legislation, stem cell lines will be eligible for federal research only if they meet the following requirements:

  • The embryos used to derive the stem cells were originally created for fertility treatment purposes and are in excess of clinical need
  • The individuals seeking fertility treatments have decided to discard these excess embryos
  • The individuals for whom the embryos were created have voluntarily provided written, informed consent for the donation

      • Press Release            Press Release List            Press Release