Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement concerning a federal judge’s reversal of his original ruling blocking federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research.  In 2010, President Barack Obama issued an executive order lifting former President George W. Bush’s ban on federal funding. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued an injunction against the National Institutes of Health moving ahead with the research last year, but based on a higher court ruling, has now ruled to uphold the President’s executive order.

Rep. Engel has long supported embryonic stem cell research because it could lead to significant groundbreaking medical discoveries as well as increased job growth in the scientific community.

“I have long believed that stem cell research does not end life – it honors life,” said Rep. Engel. 

“To those who continue to oppose this research due to ideology rather than scientific need, I ask them to consider those who currently suffer from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and many others.  This research could provide a future where they and future patients will no longer suffer from these debilitating diseases.

“Like the overwhelming majority of Americans, I am determined to provide our scientific community with every available opportunity to conduct this potential life-saving research.  By allowing this research to go forward, our citizens who receive care and those suffering with life-threatening illnesses may live to see a breakthrough or even a cure.”

Rep. Engel was an original co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation which passed both Houses of Congress, before being vetoed by then-President Bush.  Rep. Engel again co-sponsored H.R. 873, the Stem Cell Research Improvement Act.  This bill would have codified President Obama's executive order, allowing federal research of embryonic stem cells.

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