July 6, 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

Last month – with 59 other House Republicans – I signed a letter urging you to accept the National Institutes of Health report on the medical value of embryonic stem cell research and not block federal funding for such promising, life-saving research.

With my mother totally debilitated by Alzheimer’s disease, a first-cousin who died from diabetes and several close friends suffering from Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injuries, I plead with you to give hope to my loved ones who are suffering, as well as 100 million other people who suffer from conditions that could be aided by stem cell research.

The scientific evidence is overwhelming that stem cells collected from surplus embryos have great potential to regenerate specific types of human tissues, offering hope for millions of Americans devastated by these and other cruel, fatal diseases.

Mr. President, I know you are struggling with his crucial decision, and I sincerely hope you’re listening to respected friends like Senators Orrin Hatch and Connie Mack, as well as Secretary Tommy Thompson, when they tell you this is not an abortion issue, and abortion politics should not enter into this critical decision.

In fact, using surplus embryos from in-vitro fertilization – embryos that would otherwise be

discarded – has the potential to save lives and prevent terrible human suffering.

On behalf of millions of Americans with debilitating, incurable disorders, I respectfully urge you to approve crucial federal funding for this life-saving medical research. In approving such funding, you can also adopt the same model of accountability and oversight used in fetal tissue transplantation research, allowing the best possible science to progress.

On behalf of my beloved mother and cousin, as well as countless other people suffering the ravages of deadly diseases, I thank you for your consideration of this input as you make this major decision.

Sincerely, 

JIM RAMSTAD
Member of Congress