Embryonic Stem Cells Are Leading Issue on Senate's 2006 Agenda

Vote on HR 810 Expected in First Quarter of 2006

Stem cell research advocates were genuinely excited when the House of Representatives voted to approve the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810) in May 2005. Working under a restrictive policy that permitted only limited funding of embryonic stem cell research, investigators have been holding out hope that Congress could agree on a bill to expand federal support of embryonic stem cell research and work out a compromise with the White House. With Senate action on HR 810 expected by March 2006, advocates are encouraged once again about the potential to update this policy and move the science of stem cell research forward to help patients.

HR 810 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 bill states that no federal funds will be used to derive stem cells or destroy early-stage embryos. In addition, it directs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to support appropriate research on stem cell lines derived from early-stage embryos that also meet the following criteria: originally created for fertility treatment purposes and are in excess of clinical need; would otherwise be discarded; and the individuals for whom the embryos were created have provided written consent for embryo donation.

House approval of HR 810 by an overwhelming 238-194 vote can be directly attributed to the strong bipartisan work of Representatives Mike Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), who worked together tirelessly on this legislation. Supporters in the Senate are fortunate to also have a formidable bipartisan team led by Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) that includes Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). On July 29, 2005, embryonic stem cell research supporters were also delighted to learn that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, MD (R-TN), had decided to reverse his earlier position on stem cells and was co-sponsoring HR 810.

If the Senate approves HR 810 (which is the same bill that the House passed in May 2005), it would go directly to President George W. Bush's desk. Although the President has maintained his intention to veto any bill that changes the current federal embryonic stem cell policy, many policymakers anticipate that a veto would be increasingly difficult since the President has never used his veto power, and this bill was approved by a House and Senate controlled by his own political party. Observers expect that the White House would seek to work out a politically delicate compromise before issuing a veto. In any case, the key for stem cell research supporters is to obtain Senate approval of HR 810.

In the upcoming Senate debate on stem cell research, the top priority for ASH is approval of HR 810 with no amendments and without passage of other measures that restrict any avenue of stem cell-related research. During the debate, the Society anticipates that there will be several other bills that are favorable to stem cell research that ASH will support, but it is essential to pass HR 810. Other measures that are being discussed are primarily intended to cloud the debate on embryonic stem cells and obstruct support for HR 810.

ASH will continue to advocate in the Senate for expanding embryonic stem cell research and approval of HR 810. Visit the ASH Advocacy Center at www.hematology.org/takeaction to help the Society's efforts. For questions or more information about embryonic stem cell research or HR 810, contact ASH Government Affairs Manager Jeff Coughlin at 202-776-0544 or jcoughlin@hematology.org.

TAKE ACTION

ASH supports the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810), legislation that 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. With the Senate preparing to vote on stem cell legislation, it is critical for ASH members to contact their Senators and ask them to support HR 810. Given the recent scandal amongst South Korean stem cell researchers, anti-embryonic stem cell activists will be very motivated to act, so the scientific community needs to ensure that the Senate receives correspondence from stem cell advocates with a clear and consistent message — approve HR 810 with no amendments and with no other measures that restrict any avenue of stem cell-related research. Visit the ASH Advocacy Center at www.hematology.org/takeaction to participate in this advocacy campaign and help the Society's grassroots advocacy efforts.

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