ACTION ALERT: Stem Cell Bill Reintroduced
URGENT! House to Vote on Stem Cell Bill – Your Help Needed!
View list of cosponsors
The House is scheduled to vote on H.R. 3 – the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 – on Thursday, January 11th. The bill was introduced by Representative Diana DeGette (D-Co), and currently has 216 bi-partisan cosponsors.
This legislation will make embryonic stem cells available for researchers to work with – so that they can explore the great potential for cures for spinal cord injuries and disorders and other serious conditions. Strict ethical requirements will insure that only embryos that would otherwise be discarded may be used.
ACTION: Tell your members of Congress that Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 means hope for better life for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Ask your Representative to vote for H.R. 3. If your Representative is already a cosponsor of H.R. 3, be sure to thank them for their support.
To call your Representative: Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for the office of your Representative.
To identify or email your Representative: Go to www.house.gov, select House Directory, then select “Write your Representative” (the 4th link from the top in the left column), and follow the instructions provided.
A quick, short email or letter will be a big help. If you like, you may use all or part of the sample letter below.
For more information, please contact Peggy Hathaway, Senior Policy Associate, or Alaine Perry, Director of Public Policy, at 301-495-4460.
Thank you for your advocacy!
Sample Letter to Your Representative:
Dear Representative ______________________:
Please vote for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R.3). Stem cell research shows great promise for curing injuries and diseases – including paralysis from spinal cord injuries or disorders.
Passage of this bill will give hope for a better life to people with spinal cord injuries and disorders and other serious conditions.
[OPTIONAL: Please tell your personal story and explain how this bill gives you hope for yourself or a loved one. Your personal experience makes a big impact.]
Failure to enact this legislation significantly limits the potential for stem cell researchers to find ways to cure paralysis and other serious conditions. In addition to helping individuals, stem cell research can save billions of dollars in health care costs.
I strongly urge you to cosponsor and vote for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. Please urge your colleagues to support it too.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your organization, if applicable]
[Full Address]
Additional Background Information:
Current federal policy greatly limits stem research because so few stem cell lines are available. This legislation would allow research using embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics.
The legislation imposes strict ethical requirements. The embryos must meet 4 criteria: they must have been: (1) donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking fertility treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment); and (4) donated by these individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements.
Speaker Pelosi has made this legislation one of her First 100 Hours priorities. The legislation is identical to the bill passed by the last Congress but vetoed by President Bush.
An identical bill, S. 5, has also been introduced in the Senate with bi-partisan cosponsorship. We will let you know when action is expected in the Senate.
House cosponsors for H.R. 3, Stem Cell Enhancement Research Act of 2007
(as of 1/10/2007)