FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Maggie Goldberg
973-379-2690 ext.
115
April 30, 2002
Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research
Praises Senators on Introduction of "Therapeutic Cloning"
Bill
Group thanks Senator Hatch for his commitment to
research
Washington, DC-- The Coalition for the Advancement
of Medical Research (CAMR) today praised Senators Specter (R-PA),
Kennedy (D-MA), and Feinstein (D-CA) for introducing the "Human
Cloning Prohibition Act of 2002." The act bans human reproductive
cloning but allows somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), sometimes
called "therapeutic cloning." The group also singled out Senator
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) for announcing his support of the bill.
"We agree strongly with these Senators that human reproductive
cloning should be prohibited, but that SCNT be pursued," said
Michael Manganiello, President of CAMR and Senior Vice President of
the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. "Senator Hatch has once
again stood up for patients -- patients living with life-threatening
diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, diabetes, MS. The
political courage he demonstrated today shows his strong
determination and commitment to bringing medical research advances
to the bedsides of the people who need it most."
SCNT may prove to be a vital tool in allowing scientists to fully
develop the promise of stem cell research. CAMR is committed to
ensuring that this potentially life-saving research is allowed to
move forward.
SCNT involves the use of a donor's unfertilized egg and a
patient's own cells. The research could allow a patient's own
genetic material to be used to develop stem cell therapies
specifically tailored to that individual's medical condition, thus
not triggering an immune rejection response. In other words, using
SCNT could repair patients with their own cells.
Frank Coccozelli, co-founder of the Committee for the Advancement
of Stem Cell Research and wheelchair bound due to a rare form of IBM
muscular dystrophy added, "Senators Specter, Feinstein, Kennedy and
Hatch are true champions for those of us awaiting a cure. I know
that SCNT research is not a guarantee, but a hope, and that is all
the more reason to not to ban the research."
The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR),
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.