January 16, 2002?Washington, DC?The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), the leading patient advocacy group that supported federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, announced today that it strongly opposes a ban on somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), which is commonly referred to as therapeutic cloning.

?Somatic cell nuclear transfer may prove to be a vital tool in allowing scientists to fully develop the promise of stem cell research and CAMR is committed to ensuring that this life-saving research be allowed to move forward,? said Michael Manganiello, new President of CAMR.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer, or 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.

Given the scientific potential in this area, CAMR strongly oppose any legislative or regulatory action that would ban research related to SCNT. This includes criminalizing the research or the researchers, and prohibiting the importation of therapies derived from SCNT in other countries.

However, CAMR does support efforts to prohibit human reproductive cloning while protecting important areas of medical research, including stem cell research.

The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research also announced today its new 2002 officers and board, which is elected to serve a one-year term. New board officers are: Michael Manganiello, President (Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation), Elisabeth Bresee Brittin, Treasurer, (Parkinson?s Action Network), Kevin Wilson, Secretary, (American Society for Cell Biology). Additional board members are: Jane Corlette (Harvard University), Susan Frank (Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation), Ross Frommer (Columbia University), Tony Mazzaschi (Association of American Medical Colleges), Rhonda Norsetter (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Lawrence Soler (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Ronnie Tepp (National Coalition for Cancer Research), Sean Tipton (American Society for Reproductive Medicine), Michael Werner (Biotechnology Industry Organization). In addition, John Rogers (Parkinson?s Action Network) was appointed as Chair of the coalition?s legislative subcommittee and Maggie Friedman (Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation) as Chair of the media subcommittee--both will be added to the board.

The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research is comprised of universities, scientific and academic societies, patients? organizations, and other entities that are devoted to supporting stem cell research.