House to Vote on Increasing Eligible Embryonic Stem Cell Lines

March 25, 2005 -- The Leadership of the House of Representatives has agreed to allow a vote to change current federal stem cell research policy and expand the number of embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federal research funding. The vote is expected within the next two to three months. ASH policy supports federal funding of all avenues of stem cell research under National Institutes of Health federal research guidelines and with appropriate public oversight.

Although no specific agreement was reached on what embryonic stem cell research bill the House will be voting on, it appears that it will be the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (S 471/HR 810). This bill was introduced in February in the House by Representatives Michael N. Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), while Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the same bill in the Senate. It provides for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research on lines derived after August 9, 2001, and requires strong ethical guidelines on stem cell lines that are eligible for federally-funded research.

The House Leadership has been a major roadblock to addressing the issue of expanding the number of eligible embryonic stem cell research lines. Supporters believe that they have enough votes in the Senate to expand the policy instituted by the Bush Administration on August 9, 2001, that allowed federal funds to only be used for research on embryonic stem cell lines derived prior to the date of the President’s announcement. However, even if the House and Senate approve HR 810/S 471, White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino said yesterday that President Bush has not changed his mind on embryonic stem cells.

Take Action
ASH needs the help of its membership to advocate for embryonic stem cell research. The announcement that the House will be voting on this issue will only motivate anti-embryonic stem cell activists to act; we need to ensure that Capitol Hill receives correspondence from stem cell advocates in favor of expanding the number of lines eligible for federal funding. Please visit the ASH Advocacy Center and join our campaign by sending an e-mail to your Senators and Representative asking them to cosponsor the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810/S 471).

New Poll Data on Stem Cell Research
In related news, new poll data from the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR)—ASH’s primary advocacy coalition for stem cell-related issues—shows a strong majority of Americans solidly support embryonic stem cell and nuclear transfer (NT) research. Of the respondents polled, 59 percent strongly or somewhat favored embryonic stem cell research, and only 33 percent opposed or strongly opposed it. However, after a brief description of the research was read, the percentage in favor increased to 68 percent and only 28 percent now opposed it.

For NT research, 60 percent strongly or somewhat favored the research, and only 35 percent somewhat or strongly opposed it. However, after a more detailed description of what NT research involves was read, more respondents favored the research, 72 percent compared with only 23 percent opposed.

ASH will keep you informed about any legislative developments on embryonic stem cell research.

If you have questions, or need more information, please contact ASH Government Affairs Manager Jeff Coughlin at (202) 776-0544.