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STEM CELL SUPPORTERS PLAN VOTER EDUCATION EFFORT Patient groups, universities, and scientific societies activate grassroots on third anniversary of President’s stem cell policy August 7, 2004—On Monday, August 9th, patients, universities, and scientific societies across America will mark the third anniversary of President Bush’s fateful decision to severely restrict embryonic stem cell research. The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) will contact each candidate running for federal office and request their position on stem cell research in order to educate voters on the issue before the November elections. Candidate positions will be posted on the group’s website, www.camradvocacy.org. CAMR also developed an extensive state advocacy toolkit to be sent to thousands of grassroots leaders throughout the nation. The toolkit was created to help volunteers educate policy makers and voters at the state and local levels. “The grassroots have an incredible opportunity to influence the stem cell debate at both the federal and state level,” said Daniel Perry, President of CAMR. “And we intend to provide voters with the best information on stem cell research,” added Mr. Perry. CAMR, comprised of over 80 nationally recognized patient groups, universities, and scientific societies, has led the charge to support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. “I support stem cell research and I vote,” says Richard Arvedon, whose daughter Emma has juvenile diabetes. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she’s got a fighting chance at a cure, and that starts with letting people know where the candidates stand on this vital issue,” he stressed. In letters to be sent on August 9th to every candidate seeking federal elected office, CAMR will ask if they agree with Nancy Reagan that President Bush should lift the current restrictions on federal funding of stem cell research and instead allow full funding of all embryonic stem cell research done on left-over donated fertilized eggs, which would otherwise be destroyed. Answers will be posted on the website as soon as responses are received. The state advocacy tool kit includes a video message from paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve; legislative, media, and organizing tips for grassroots leaders; sample materials; and a legislative overview of current state legislation for and against stem cell research. Thousands of toolkits will be mailed to grassroots leaders starting Monday, August 9th, but it is also available on the website: www.camradvocacy.org. “The states are fighting some vicious battles over the research,” stressed Sean Tipton, Vice President of CAMR. “Providing safe-havens for scientists and the research is critical, so we’re giving people the tools they’ll need to make a strong case for science,” he added. Over the past year, several states introduced legislation unfavorable to stem cell research, such as Illinois, Texas, and Kentucky. While other states, such as California and New Jersey have passed legislation supporting the research. On August 9, 2001, the President announced to the nation in a televised address that federal funding for embryonic stem cell research would only be allowed on stem cell lines already in existence, and promised there were more than 60 lines available for research. Today, estimates at the National Institutes of Health indicate there are only 21 lines available, far short of what the policy intended. In addition to the few cell lines available, those lines that qualify for federal funding are not genetically or racially diverse enough to meet research needs. Also, developing future therapies with the current stem cell lines may prove impossible since cell lines cultivated in the past were exposed to mouse “feeder” cells, and may not be acceptable under federal regulations on biological materials drawn from more than one species. Researchers are also hesitant to use these lines for patient therapies when newer, non-contaminated stem cell colonies are being developed beyond the reach of the Administration’s policy by private organizations and in other countries. The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), a non-partisan non-profit, is comprised of nationally-recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders, advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine - including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer - in order to cure disease and alleviate suffering. For more information on CAMR, visit the website: www.camradvocacy.org For more information contact: |
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