FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HEMATOLOGISTS SUPPORT EFFORTS IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO EASE EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESTRICTIONS
(WASHINGTON, May 24, 2005) – The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is strongly supporting the efforts in the House of Representatives to expand the number of human embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federal research funding. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810), championed by Representatives Michael Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), is expected to be brought to the House floor for a vote later today. This legislation would expand the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research by allowing federal funding on stem cell lines derived after August 9, 2001. HR 810 also establishes strict ethical guidelines for this field of research by requiring that federal funds not be used to derive stem cells or destroy embryos.
“Hematologists are excited about the scientific potential of all avenues of stem cell research – both human embryonic and adult stem cells,” said ASH President James N. George, M.D., the George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the Hematology-Oncology Section at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. “However, the Society believes that U.S. researchers must have access to more embryonic stem cell lines in order to move this science forward as quickly as possible. Without more basic research on embryonic stem cells, we will never learn if they can be developed into clinical tools. This field is in its infancy, with great potential to lead to major discoveries that could have a profound impact on patient care.”
On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced that federal funds could only be used to study embryonic stem cells lines derived by that date. While it originally appeared that 78 embryonic stem cell lines would be available for research under this policy, only 22 lines are currently available. Moreover, all of the eligible stem cell lines are contaminated with mouse feeder cells, making their therapeutic use for future human trials extremely unlikely. In addition, the cell lines eligible for federal funding are difficult to obtain; they are expensive to purchase and there are contractual intellectual property issues surrounding their distribution. These factors have all contributed to hold the entire field of embryonic stem cell research at a virtual standstill since August 2001.
The Bush Administration and other supporters of the President’s policy tout the benefits of adult stem cells as an alternative to embryonic stem cell research. “Hematologists were the pioneers of the adult stem cell research field beginning in the late 1950’s,” said Dr. George. “Adult stem cell treatments have been very helpful to patients, but it is unfair to compare adult and embryonic stem cell research when human embryonic stem cell research is less than 10 years old, with almost no clinical track record. We cannot address the issue of whether adult or embryonic stem cells are more promising until more investigation has been completed with embryonic stem cells. ASH is hopeful that the approval of HR 810 will reinvigorate embryonic stem cell research in this country.”
ASH is a member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, the nation’s most vocal proponent of the use of regenerative medicine to cure disease and alleviate suffering, and one of the few physician organizations that has been at the forefront of the debate over federal research funding of embryonic stem cells.
The American Society of Hematology is the world's largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatment of blood disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.
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