In an effort to expand federal funding for stem-cell research, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, announced Tuesday she plans to send a letter to President George Bush urging him to rethink his policy on stem cells and allot more money to research efforts.
Baldwin praised stem cells, claiming they might be able to remedy illnesses currently considered incurable. The Congressperson expressed frustration with Bush's 2001 decision that restricted federal funding to previously created stem cells.
\I'm angry that our government limits this research ... We simply cannot afford not to aggressively explore the possibilities that stem cell research can unlock. There is just too much at stake,"" she said.
Baldwin was concerned with the current amount of stem cells, saying 16 of the 78 colonies have either died or are now useless to scientists. She also remarked researchers are able to study just 15 of the eligible colonies.
Jerilyn Goodman, Baldwin's press secretary, added the letter was a bipartisan document aiming to expand the stem cell guidelines.
""There's a great deal of concern that stem cell research is being held back right now, we could be advancing much further,"" she said.
Although Bush placed restrictions on the federal government's role in stem cell research, institutions can still create new colonies, although they must be privately funded. While those organizations are not barred from developing new stem cells, federally funded institutions are not permitted to use those samples, Baldwin said in a press release.
""I am deeply concerned because scientists who are federally funded will not be able to conduct research on these lines, simply because they were created after the president's arbitrary cutoff date,"" she said.
Harvard University recently created 17 new lines receiving praise from David Perry, president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research.
In a statement, Perry said the new cell lines would help fill the gap created by the lack of government money.
Perry also stressed the need for a new policy, criticizing the government for not allowing federally funded organizations to utilize the cells.
""It's a shame that federally funded researchers cannot use the new lines ... this once again stresses the need for a more broadminded federal policy that encourages medical research and thus supports patients suffering from life-threatening diseases and conditions,"" he said.
CAMR believes stem cells have the potential to remedy many diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes and Parkinson's.
