WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback today chaired a hearing of the Senate Commerce Science, Technology and Space Subcommittee to examine advances in adult and non-embryonic stem cell research. Patients who have been successfully treated provided their testimony.

"Today, we will be conducting a hearing on some of the exciting new advances being made in the fields of adult and non-embryonic stem cell research," Brownback said. "The field of regenerative medicine offers great hope to those suffering from disease. Much of the research that is providing new hope to those who are currently suffering is moving along at a fast pace and is doing so without questionable or morally controversial techniques.

"At this hearing we will examine some of these advances. This hearing is not about human cloning, or destructive human embryonic stem cell research. It is about some of the other important scientific discoveries that are being made using non-controversial techniques that rely on adult or non-embryonic stem cells.

"Today we will hear from cord blood stem cell researchers as well as others who are working hard in the field of regenerative medicine to find the cures to the diseases that plague humanity. At this hearing we will discuss not only some of the research that is being conducted but also some of the treatments that are currently being offered. And we will hear from some of the patients who are benefitting from this important life-saving research. Their stories are truly astounding.

"Regardless of how the members of this committee feel on the controversial issues of human cloning and destructive human embryonic stem cell research, certainly, we can all agree on the need to work hard toward a cure for the diseases that plague humanity," Brownback said.

Sen. Brownback has noted many significant scientific advances in the field of adult and non-embryonic stem cells and pointed out the lack of even a single cure from embryonic stem cell research.

Witnesses included: Steven Barsh, President of the Stop ALD Foundation and father of a two year old transplanted with cord blood stem cells for ALD one year ago; David C. Hess, M.D., Chairman and Professor, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia; Keone Penn, 16 year old African-American transplanted with cord blood stem cells for sickle-cell anemia five years ago (featured in "60 Minutes" as first sickle cell anemia patient cured with unrelated cord blood stem cells); Steven Sprague, 54 year old transplanted with cord blood stem cells for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) five years ago; Joanne Kurtzberg, MD, Director, Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program, Duke University Medical Center; Jean D. Peduzzi-Nelson, PhD, Department of Physiological Optics, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Pablo Rubinstein, MD, Director of Placental Blood Program, New York Blood Center.