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Houston, TX - Today, Congressman Gene Green (D-Houston) toured Baylor College of Medicine's new Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine as part of the effort in advocating embryonic stem cell research. Green hopes his presence will help stimulate public support and federal funding.
Congressman Green was joined by Dr. William Brinkley, dean of the Baylor College of Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Wayne Riley, vice president and vice dean of health affairs and governmental relations at BCM, Dr. Peggy Goodell, associate professor of hematology-oncology and Nina P. Brown a long time advocate of stem cell research and member or Texans for Advancement of Medical Research, Parkinson’s Action Network and Houston Area Parkinson Society.
“Embryonic stem cells are unique in that they have the ability to act as replacement cells for cells that have been destroyed or damaged as the result of disease,” said Congressman Green. “Despite being faced with life-threatening diseases, Americans all across our country refuse to give up hope that medical research will find cures. Embryonic stem cell research can turn that hope into reality.”
Dr. Peggy Goodell, acting director of the stem cell center at BCM, showed Green her latest findings in her adult stem cell research while Dr. Thomas Zwaka, an assistant professor at the center, exhibited technology used in his embryonic stem cell laboratory.
"We are proud to have our stem cell center on the forefront of regenerative medicine research and are delighted to host Congressman Green for his visit to our BCM facility," said Dr. William Brinkley, senior vice president of graduate sciences and dean of biomedical sciences at BCM. "Part of our mission is to educate the public on the technology used in stem cell research and to explain the fundamental science behind it."
“Every day we delay this promising research puts the cure one day further into the future,” added Nina Brown. “Medical science has made a great deal of progress over the years-- iron lungs are now a thing of the past. I want to be able to play with my grandchildren. I don’t want them to remember that their Grandma couldn’t move or talk or smile.”
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