WASHINGTON, July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of
the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following
statement on H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which was
passed in the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 63-37. The U.S. House of
Representatives passed H.R. 810 by a vote of 238-194 on May 24, 2005.
"I commend the Senate for the passage of the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act and thank Majority Leader Bill Frist as well as the
original cosponsors of the Senate companion to H.R. 810, Senators Arlen
Specter, Tom Harkin, Orrin Hatch, Dianne Feinstein, Gordon Smith and Ted
Kennedy, for their leadership and support of this critical legislation.
"While embryonic stem cell research is still at an early stage, the
nation's top scientists agree that this technology has the greatest
potential to provide new, groundbreaking therapies for diabetes, heart
disease, spinal cord injuries and a host of other disabling and deadly
conditions. We must do all we can to accelerate the research and explore
all avenues of therapeutic possibilities to their fullest. This bill allows
important research to advance and creates an ethical framework that will
ensure it is done appropriately.
"The bipartisan passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act by
both the House and Senate reflects the strong support of the vast majority
of Americans for this very promising research."
H.R. 810 would expand the limited number of stem cell lines currently
available for federally-funded research by allowing individuals to donate
excess embryos from in-vitro fertilization clinics which would otherwise be
discarded as medical waste. Individuals who choose to donate these excess
embryos would have to give written consent and would not receive any
monetary compensation for the donation.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across
the United States and in 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the
research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and
environmental biotechnology products.
SOURCE Biotechnology Industry Organization
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Related links:
http://www.bio.org/
CONTACT:
Stephanie Fischer of Biotechnology Industry
Organization, desk: +1-202-312-9263, cell: +1-202-531-3812
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