Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
As Prepared for Delivery from the Senate Floor
July 18, 2006
Listen to
Senator Feingold's Statement
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, as we debate this important legislation
regarding stem cell research, we are reminded of the millions of patients
and families across America who await treatment and cures for our most
deadly and tragic diseases. As of Friday afternoon, over 92,000 Americans
were on waiting lists for organ transplant. Seventeen of these people
will die every day waiting for a vital organ. Scientists believe that
over half of Americans over 85 may suffer from Alzheimer’s disease,
and at least half a million Americans currently have Parkinson’s
disease. As we all know, these kinds of serious diagnoses affect not
only the patient, but that patient’s family, friends, and community.
Illness is a burden we all share.
Fortunately, over the past century, science has turned many of our
worst medical fears into manageable chronic conditions, sometimes into
mere nuisances, and in some instances, has erased them entirely.
Today we stand at the threshold of a new era of scientific achievement.
Stem cell research has vast potential for curing diseases and saving
lives. We must recognize the enormous potential of this research for
discovering new cures and therapies for diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s
disease and spinal cord injuries. Millions of patients and their families
across the nation cannot afford to wait any longer for enactment of
this urgently needed legislation.
I am a strong supporter and proud cosponsor of the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act. I have heard from many of my constituents in Wisconsin
in support of this legislation, and I am glad that the Senate is addressing
this today and responding to the requests of millions across the country.
For many people this is a deeply personal issue. When an individual
or loved one suffers from an incurable disease or medical condition,
it can be devastating. Everyone knows someone who has suffered from
diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or another debilitating
disease, and we all know the physical and emotional pain inflicted as
a result. It is vitally important that we move this legislation into
law as expeditiously as possible, and provide the resources that scientists
need to develop treatments and cures for these diseases.
Researchers can unlock enormous potential in stem cell research if
Congress will only give them the key. At the University of Wisconsin
in 1998, Dr. James Thomson became the first scientist to break into
this new frontier by isolating human embryonic stem cells. Since then,
researchers at the University have been able to coax embryonic stem
cells to develop into mature blood cells, which could provide treatments
and cures for people with a range of currently incurable diseases. By
further examining the potential of stem cells, scientists at the University
of Wisconsin have also successfully developed neural cells, and they
have even transferred these cells successfully into mice, where the
cells continued to thrive. The possibilities here are clear—if
technology such as this is able to expand, those with neurological disorders
and bleak prognoses may now have hope.
Despite its incredible promise, this research has unfortunately been
limited by the President since 2001. It is time for Congress to take
the necessary action to provide more stem cell lines to scientists so
that this research can go forward, without the federal government standing
in the way.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act would allow federally funded
research to be conducted on stem cell lines derived from excess embryos
created for in vitro fertilization (IVF) that are no longer needed and
are donated by couples for research. It is estimated that there are
more than 400,000 embryos that were created for fertility treatments,
and are likely to be destroyed.
There is much work that needs to be done to further understand the
role that embryonic stem cells can play in providing answers to some
of the most troubling medical diseases and conditions that affect so
many Americans. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act will help our
nation’s researchers get closer to unlocking what this research
holds by increasing the quantity and quality of stem cells lines available
for research.
Embryonic stem cell research is very important to me and to Wisconsin.
I am proud that the University of Wisconsin has played a prominent role
in stem cell research in this country. I know that my constituents,
and Americans across the country, are eagerly awaiting the benefits
that this research will provide.
I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this incredibly important
science which would expand our research horizons, and bring hope to
so many people.
Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
|
