Terry Everett, June 13, 2005

It is a tragic irony that the issue over the use of human stem cells to provide life-saving cures for a host of diseases should be turned into a battle against life itself. It need not be so, yet that is what is happening across our land as many, including the national media, tell the public that promising stem cell research can only come from the destruction of a human embryo.

At present, Federal law prohibits the use of tax dollars to fund the creation of human embryos for research. Also banned is Federal financing of activities that destroy, discard, injure, or kill existing human embryos. The government should not be helping fund the misuse and exploitation of human beings for scientific purposes. And, frankly, it does not have to as harvesting Adult stem cells from placentas and umbilical cord blood cells, a process which does not threaten life, holds great promise for providing medical treatment and cures.

Invariably, any discussion about stem cell research that is covered by the national media these days will give the audience the impression that embryonic stem cell research is the only legitimate form of such study. This is highly misleading. Non embryonic stem cells are gaining much attention in medical research.

Specifically, studies have already shown that cord blood stem cells have the capability to change into other cells, thus giving them the potential to aid in regenerating organs and treat many fatal, terminal and debilitating conditions, including spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and heart disease. This is not just theory as cord blood cells have already been used to improve the health of persons suffering from sickle cell disease, leukemia, spinal cord injury, and some neurological diseases. Cord blood transplants also enjoy the advantage of not needing to be a perfect match in order to treat a patient.

Believing that the best approach to saving lives is one which both honors life and seeks promising results, I cosponsored and voted for the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act (HR 2520) which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 24 by a 431 to 1 margin. This legislation supports Federal funding for Adult stem cells taken from placentas and umbilical cord blood. It also seeks to ensure that the nation's inventory of cord blood is genetically diverse and large enough to help patients secure timely transplants.

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act specifically authorizes $19 million to increase and maintain cord blood stocks at 150,000 units - a supply that would enable 90 percent of the U.S. population to secure an acceptable stem cell match. It would also provide $28 million to subsidize blood centers nationally that agree to collect, prepare, and store the blood units for transplantation treatments.

Despite the passage of this vital legislation, I was disappointed to see the House also approve a separate bill to expand Federal government support of embryonic stem cell research - the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810). I voted against HR 810 which I feel is a step backward, and, should it pass the Senate, I am hopeful that it will be vetoed by President Bush.

Stem cell research must be done in a responsible way so that lives are not lost in order to save others. Research continues to show that saving lives doesn't have to be a compromise.

Congressman Terry Everett, a Republican, represents Alabama's Second Congressional District, which includes the state capitol, Montgomery.