"NO FEDERAL FUNDS FOR RESEARCH THAT CAPITALIZES ON THE DESTRUCTION OF INNOCENT HUMAN LIFE"

Washington, May 24, 2005 - "Stem cells harvested from human umbilical cords have contributed toward the treatment of 57 diseases, while embryonic stem-cell research has not produced a single success to date," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  Stearns today voted for H.R. 2520, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act, to establish an umbilical-cord blood bank to promote research on adult stem-cell therapies; and against H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that allows federal funding of stem cell research using human embryos.

The House today approved both measures, but President Bush has stated that he would oppose H.R. 810, the legislation allowing federal funding on research involving human embryos.  H.R. 2520 promotes the use and study of adult stem cells, which comes from umbilical cords, blood, bone marrow, hair, and even teeth.

"Research using adult stem cells is producing real therapies for leukemia, lymphoma. Hodgkin's disease, and some forms of sickle cell," explained Stearns.  "In addition, research in this area is succeeding in re-growing spinal cord tissue.  However, embryonic research requires the destruction of human embryos to 'harvest' stem cells; a potential human life is cut up for stem cell research that has produced no therapies.  The dignity of life is undermined by human embryonic research, and federal funds should not be used for these unethical experiments."