108th Congress

Advances in Adult and Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research—Hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space

June 12, 2003

(No NIH Witness)

The purpose of this hearing was to bring attention to discoveries that have been made through non-controversial techniques such as adult and non-embryonic stem cell research. Dr. David Hess, Chairman, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, testified that the field of regenerative medicine is "taking off" and that several stem cell centers have been established. Dr. Pablo Rubinstein, Director, Placental Blood Program, New York Blood Center, indicated that NIH support of the COBLT study has made it possible to collect cord blood and make it available for transplantation to patients in need. He told the Committee that cord blood has several advantages over the use of bone marrow as a source of stem cells.

Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, Director, Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program, Duke University Medical Center, discussed the clinical applications of cord blood transplantation. She said that cord blood transplants can cure sickle cell anemia. Dr. Kurtzberg also advocated for the establishment of a National Cord Blood Bank. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) announced that he and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) plan to write a letter in support of establishment of a National Cord Blood Center, and they will help move legislation in this area.

Dr. John McDonald, Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, testified on behalf of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research. Dr. McDonald expressed support for continued research on all forms of stem cells. However, he believes that it is much more feasible to pursue embryonic stem cell research because they can be encouraged to differentiate into various types of cells. Dr. Jean Peduzzi-Nelson, Department of Physiological Optics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, said that despite the Federal ban, most stem cell research continues to focus on embryonic stem cells, rather than adult stem cells. In addition to the scientific experts, the Committee heard testimony from patients with sickle cell anemia, leukemia, and ALD, who have benefitted from treatments using cord blood stem cells.