A copy of the stem cell research bill that passed the U.S. House on Tuesday is being pushed through the Senate by Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin. President Bush has mandated only 22 types of embryonic stem cells can be used in research and Senator Harkin says it’s now known all 22 lines are dangerous for use in humans. Harkin says scientists need access to the wide array of other stem cell lines that could help tackle numerous diseases. Harkin says “We don’t require our astronomers to explore the heavens with 19th century telescopes. We don’t require geologists to study the earth with a tape measure. If we’re serious about realizing the promise of stem cell research, our biomedical researchers need access to the best stem cell lines available.” Harkin says the measure is getting strong bi-partisan support. He says none of the additional stem cell lines would require the creation of new embryos as they could use some 400-thousand embryos that are left over after fertility treatments, embryos that are otherwise discarded. Harkin expects the bill to win fast approval in the Senate. He says for millions of Americans with potentially-curable or treatable diseases like Parkinson’s, juvenile diabetes and A-L-S, “this is a matter of life and death. They can’t wait any longer for our top scientists to realize the full potential of stem cell research.” Harkin says the legislation is “ethical, moderate and just plain common sense.”
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