Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Adult Stem Cell Research

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space held a hearing on adult stem cell research on July 14 in Washington, D.C. The Chairman of the Subcommittee, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), called this hearing to bring attention to adult stem cell research and discuss the benefits that some patients have realized from the research. The Subcommittee Democrats that attended – Senators Ron Wyden (OR) (Ranking Member), Bill Nelson (FL), and Frank Lautenberg (NJ) – used the hearing as an opportunity to talk about the inadequacies of the current federal embryonic stem cell research policy and their strong belief in the need to pursue both avenues of stem cell research – adult and embryonic. The latest federal budget figures indicate that despite its potential, embryonic stem cell research is outspent 9:1 in favor of adult stem cell research funding.

The first panel of witnesses included two researchers who have made some progress in treating patients with adult stem cells: Michel F. Levesque, M.D., Department of Neurosurgery, University of California – Los Angeles School of Medicine, and Jean D. Peduzzi-Nelson, Ph.D., Department of Physiological Optics, University of Alabama at Birmingham. The panel also included ASH member Irving Weissman, M.D., Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine.

The hearing’s second panel included testimony from several patients who have benefited from adult stem cell research. In addition, Robert A. Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), testified about how JDRF is supporting both adult and embryonic research to try to find a cure for diabetes.

To view the full text of testimony from the hearing, please visit the Senate Science, Technology, and Space Subcommittee Web site.

Outlook
This hearing is likely to be the only congressional hearing on this topic this year. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) indicated this week that the Senate will not take up stem cell research legislation this year, although that will be likely next year. Meanwhile, President Bush has indicated that he will not reevaluate his policy on funding embryonic stem cell research despite increasing pressure from Congress.

ASH will continue to be active in policy discussions and legislation concerning stem cell research, and will keep members informed about new developments. If you have questions, or need more information, please contact Jeff Coughlin, ASH Government Affairs Manager, at (202) 776-0544 or jcoughlin@hematology.org.