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Washington, D.C., Jul 8, 2009 - Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) today called on Congress to consider his Patients First Act, H.R. 877, in light of the Administration’s release this week of final guidelines to expand tax-payer funding of embryonic stem cell research. Forbes’ bill promotes research and clinical trials using human stem cells that show the most evidence of providing near-term clinical benefit for human patients and are ethically obtained.  

“The science of stem cell research has moved beyond the divisive political and ethical debate. These new regulations are turning back the clock in stem cell research advancement – adult stem cells have already resulted in a multitude of studies documenting patients who have been treated for Parkinson’s disease, Type 1 Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other diseases. We must put patients ahead of the divisive political debate and direct our dollars towards research that will provide the most benefit to patients in the shortest amount of time,” said Forbes. “The Patients First Act presents a unified, pragmatic approach to medical and scientific advancement within the stem cell debate.”   

President Obama issued Executive Order 13505 on March 9, 2009, lifting restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, and promoting an outdated science because it ignored recent studies that demonstrate the ability of adult stem cells to be “induced,” resulting in the same properties and potential benefits of embryonic cells. This week, the National Institute of Health (NIH) released Final Guidelines to expand funding of embryo-destructive stem cell research which went into effect yesterday, July 7, 2009.  

The Patients First Act would specifically: 

• Promote the creation of pluripotent stem cell lines without the creation, destruction and discarding of, or risk of injury to human embryos;
• Intensify stem cell research that may result in an improved understanding of, or treatment for, diseases and other adverse health conditions;
• Promote research and human clinical trials using stem cells that are ethically obtained and show evidence of providing clinical benefit for human patients; and,
• Direct the National Institutes of Health to prioritize stem cell research that has the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefits, by directing both basic and clinical research towards what is currently showing benefits in treating patients now.  

The Patients First Act, H.R. 877, currently has 40 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where it awaits further action.