H.R. 3 would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.
Detailed Summary
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo, provided such embryos: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment); and (4) were donated by such individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue final guidelines to carry out this Act within 60 days; and (2) submit annual reports on activities and research conducted under this Act.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 1/12/2007: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 6.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
Once again our values have been nearly breached as bills S. 5 and HR. 3 advanced through Congress. The bill known as "Stem Research Enhancement Act of 2007" is a violation of medical ethics and destroys human life. Furthermore, this bill causes taxpayers like me to "pay" for the destruction of human life. This bill is absolutely unacceptable.
Fortunately President Bush stopped this appalling effort when he vetoed S. 5. On June 20th, 2007 he spoke to the Senate and outlined the several key reasons for his veto of this problematic bill.
TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
I am returning herewith without my approval S. 5, the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007."
Once again, the Congress has sent me legislation that would compel American taxpayers, for the first time in our history, to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos.
In 2001, I announced a policy to advance stem cell research in a way that is ambitious, ethical, and effective. I became the first President to make Federal funds available for embryonic stem cell research, and my policy did this in ways that would not encourage the destruction of embryos. Since then, my Administration has made more than $130 million available for research on stem cell lines derived from embryos that had already been destroyed. We have also provided more than $3 billion for research on all forms of stem cells, including those from adult and other non-embryonic sources.
This careful approach is producing results. It has contributed to proven therapeutic treatments in thousands of patients with many different diseases. And it is opening the prospect of new discoveries that could transform lives. Researchers are now developing promising new techniques that offer the potential to produce pluripotent stem cells, without having to destroy human life -- for example, by reprogramming adult cells to make them function like stem cells.
Technical innovation in this difficult area is opening up new possibilities for progress without conflict or ethical controversy. Researchers pursuing these kinds of ethically responsible advances deserve support, and there is legislation in the Congress to give them that support. Bills supporting alternative research methods achieved majority support last year in both the House and the Senate. Earlier this spring another
bill supporting alternative research won overwhelming majority support in the Senate, and I call on House leaders to pass similar legislation that would authorize additional funds for ethical stem cell research. We cannot lose the opportunity to conduct research that would give hope to those suffering from terrible diseases and help move our Nation beyond the controversies over embryo destruction. I invite policymakers and scientists to come together to solve medical problems without compromising either the high aims of science or the sanctity of human life.
S. 5, like the bill I vetoed last year, would overturn today's carefully balanced policy on stem cell research. Compelling American taxpayers to support the deliberate destruction
of human embryos would be a grave mistake. I will not allow our Nation to cross this moral line. For that reason, I must veto this bill.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Visitor Comments
tedbohne
Until the current bastard in the white house is either gone or dead, preferably both, stem cell research will always be backburnered. so many could benefit from this. Write my rep in congress? I HAVE no such thing, and furthermore, pelosi has sidestepped the major mission for the 110th congress which is to begin impeachment proceedings against the Bush Regime. Pelosi is frightened of them so she heads off on issues which for the present are comparative nonsense. Pelosi might get stem cell research through congress with a shoehorn, but she can't muster the super majority needed to override a presidential veto.
tedbohne
All the dopocrats have done is the same useless crap the repubs did with THEIR hundred hour waste of time. Trying to paint themselves as anything but what they are, useless incumbents, and scared out of their wits. The six points they addressed are little more than air, and the repubs can still stop them.
RED
"The stem cells were derived from human embryos"
"Derived" sounds like MURDER to me!
Kudzuisedible
These bills to provide Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research are pure folly. If there were real promise in the research, there would be a flood of private funds from pharmaceutical companies and others. Federal money is demanded by the researchers because no one actually expects them to find anything useful, i. e. profitable. These bills are welfare for the rich (academic biotech leeches). Besides being a waste of taxpayer money, these bills represent diversion of funds from more promising research in adult stem cells, which can be harvested from many sources without killing human beings to get them. Stem cell therapies are already helping or curing hundreds of patients in the U. S. alone, and every one of those therapies started with adult stem cells. By contrast, the researchers in embryonic stem cells have mostly shown how to get really fast growing and life threatening cancers started by using embryonic stem cells, which are inherently unstable.
legisgols
Hi Kudzuisedible,
Me and hundreds here in CT totally agree with you. Fed funding is needed for those trapped in embryonic stem cell research (for whatever reason) and know it will not result in saleable products or products with sufficient profit (for one, aren't embryonic stem cells less reliable and thus most costly to use?). Interesting that most of the major research being done by pharmaceuiticals is with adult stem cells because they are sure of a good ROI. Thank you for your wonderful logic. God Bless!