Stem Cell Research is Good - If You're in Favor of it. Otherwise, it's Bad.

Thank you for contacting me regarding the use of federal funds for medical research involving embryonic stem cells. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

There is a growing consensus that stem cells hold enormous potential for health-related therapies. These cells can be multiplied and directed to form virtually any human tissue, from heart muscle to lung, kidney, liver or brain cells, each of which could be used to treat or even cure a wide variety of diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's or cancer. Currently, the federal government supports research on both adult and embryonic stem cells. In 2001, President Bush became the first President to approve federal funding for research using existing embryonic stem cell lines that were derived from excess embryos created for in vitro fertilization and donated, with informed consent, by couples. Unfortunately, of the more than 60 stem cell lines made available to receive federal research funding, fewer than 20 lines are still viable.

Approximately 400,000 excess frozen embryos are in clinics across the country and will be destroyed if not utilized. Couples currently can only do two things with excess fertilized eggs: pay to have them frozen for future use or discard them. The current stem cell debate centers around giving couples a third choice of donating the embryos for medical research. I support the use of federal funds for research involving embryonic stem cells under well-defined conditions. Specifically, there must be close federal oversight to prohibit the creation of embryos solely for the purpose of research, as well as to prohibit donors from receiving compensation for them.

In June 2004, I joined several of my pro-life Senate colleagues in urging President Bush to expand the existing embryonic stem cell project. My support for this expanded research is consistent with my conservative, pro-family philosophy, because finding and developing new cures for a variety of crippling diseases is vital for protecting and improving human lives. On December 20, 2005, President Bush signed into law S. 1317, the Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Therapy and Research Act of 2005, which provides for the use of human umbilical cord blood stem cells for patient treatment and research.

During the week of July 17, 2006, the Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, brought to the floor a package of bills that would expand federal funding for all stem cell research, while creating ethical guidelines to prevent misuse of this funding. Under the Unanimous Consent Agreement, 60 votes were required for passage, and the bills were debated for twelve hours.

Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced S. 3504, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act, which would prohibit the creation of human embryos strictly for research. I strongly supported this legislation that would prevent clinics trom having a financial incentive to create embryos far in excess of the number needed for fertility treatments.

Senator Santorum also introduced S. 2754, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, which would expand research for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that are capable of producing all or almost all cell types. I strongly supported this bill to ensure every attempt is made to use stem cells other than embryos.

The Senate also debated H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, introduced by Representative Michael Castle (R-DE) and passed by the House of Representatives on May 24, 2005. This bill would allow scientists to utilize human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Research would be limited to embryos donated, with written informed consent, from in vitro fertilization clinics that would otherwise be discarded. I supported this bill because standards need to be in place that would prohibit human cloning but would allow for the use of stem cells that would otherwise be destroyed.

I do not support creating life to destroy life. We must always respect the sanctity of life, even as science explores new frontiers. As researchers seek treatments for diseases afflicting millions, cells from embryos that would otherwise be discarded hold promise for unlocking cures to such debilitating illnesses. Stem cell research has the potential to save lives, and we must ensure it is done ethically and responsibly.

I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.

Sincerely,

Kay Bailey Hutchison