From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

July 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Supports Bipartisan Stem Cell Research Bill

Washington D.C.-Congressman Jim Matheson joined a bipartisan effort to override President Bush's veto of HR 810-legislation that allows federal funding for stem cell research within narrow limits and under strict ethical guidelines.  The measure passed the Senate yesterday by a vote of 63-37.  The House passed the bill last year by a bipartisan vote of 238-194.

"This research holds tremendous promise for curing terrible diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes that cause so much heartbreak and suffering for thousands of Utah families," said Matheson.  "I believe that such potentially ground-breaking research should be ethically conducted in an open and transparent environment, with government oversight and accountability," said Matheson.  "How long must people wait for these breakthroughs? I am disappointed that the President chose this bill as his first-ever veto target."

Matheson noted that since August 2001, when federal policy limited stem cell research, many Utahns in the scientific and medical community, as well as those suffering from those diseases and others have called for changes.  He said he shares their belief that expanded federal funding offers the best hope for advancing the science in a morally responsible way.

Laura Western, Executive Director of the Utah Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, echoed Matheson's concern.

"I am saddened and disappointed that the President has chosen to use his first veto on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, a bill that has strong bipartisan support in the U.S. House & the Senate, and with the American people. This meaningful legislation would have expanded needed federal funding for a rapidly emerging field of medical research that may one day lead to breakthroughs for type 1 diabetes. JDRF supports stem cell research-both adult and embryonic-because it has shown the potential to create insulin-producing cells that could, conceivably, be used one day to replace those cells destroyed in people with type 1 diabetes. We remain hopeful that this field will lead to new treatments and therapies, and perhaps one day a cure for type 1 diabetes," Laura said.

Matheson also supported two Senate bills that would ban so-called "fetal-farming" and encourage research into stem cell therapies using techniques other than those relying on embryos.  Last year Matheson supported HR 2520-legislation promoting research on a type of stem cell known as an adult stem cell, taken from umbilical cord blood.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)