Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) voted with the majority of the Senate this evening in passing The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5), "a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research." The bill is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Akaka is among the cosponsors. The bill passed this evening by a vote of 64-34 (60 votes were needed).

Senator Akaka's floor statement in support of the bill is copied below:

"I am proud to be a cosponsor of S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. We must enact this legislation so that researchers are able to move forward on ethical, federally funded research projects that develop better treatments for those suffering from diseases. Human embryonic stem cells have such great potential because they have the unique ability in developing into almost any type of cell or tissue in the body. Stem cell research holds great promise to develop possible cures or improved treatments for a wide range of diseases and injuries, such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's, autism, heart disease, spinal cord injuries, and many other afflictions. We must not limit research that could improve the lives of so many suffering from diseases that we have limited ability to prevent, treat, or cure.

"In August 2001, the President implemented an unworkable, flawed policy that made a small number of human embryonic stem cell lines eligible. The President's restrictions on stem cell research prevent federal funds from being used for research on newer, more promising stem cell lines. In addition, embryonic stem cell lines now eligible for federal funding are not genetically diverse enough to realize the full therapeutic potential of this research. The President's stem cell policy prevents researchers from moving ahead in an area of research that is very promising. We must enact this legislation to help move research forward that could alleviate the pain and suffering of individuals.

"If we fail to enact S. 5, our researchers are likely to fall further behind the work being done in other countries. Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have provided substantial governmental support for stem cell research.

"Too many of my constituents suffer from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, and other diseases. S. 5 provides some hope for the development of improved treatments that could improve the lives of so many people," Akaka said in his floor statement today.

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