(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) attended a Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on “The Promise of Human Embryonic Stem
Cell Research” to push the need to move forward with this critical research
that will save lives, ease suffering, and make sure Washington state and the
United States remain at the forefront of medical research and technology.
In
her statement, Senator Murray told the story of a Seattle family that would
benefit from stem cell research. Additional stories from families in
communities across the state available upon request.
Below
is Senator Murray’s full statement submitted for the record:
“Thank
you, Senator Harkin, for holding this hearing.
“Stem
cell research is not just about science—it’s about hope.
“The
hope of millions Americans who are suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s, and diabetes. The hope of their friends, families, and loved
ones who can’t bear to see them in pain another day. And the hope of a
scientific and medical community that is fighting against the clock to save
lives and reduce suffering.
“Stem
cell research offers this hope because it is one of the most promising fields
in medical research today. And we simply cannot afford to allow potential
cures to be slowed down or halted by the political process.
“That’s
why I was so glad when President Obama issued an executive order in March of
last year to lift the restrictions on funding for human embryonic stem cell
research.
“This
action took the handcuffs off of our scientists and made sure we were exploring
every option for finding cures to debilitating diseases.
“Because
as so many of us know, limiting federal support of this research will continue
to push embryonic stem cell research overseas. And our country will
continue to fall behind in a critical, growing, and cutting-edge field.
“Because
of the arbitrary limits on stem cell research that were imposed in the past, we
are already getting off to a slow start—and we can’t afford to fall any farther
behind.
“Because
in addition to helping patients—cutting-edge research also creates jobs and
boosts the economy.
“My
home state of Washington is home to world class research institutions like the
University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, just
to name a few.
“They
want to help patients. They want to do this research to help cure debilitating
diseases—but we need to make sure they have the resources they need to
succeed. And that great institutions in Washington state and across the
country continue leading the way in science, research, and medical cures.
“Nothing
sums this issue up better than a letter I got from a mom named Suzanne, from
Seattle, whose 16 year old son has diabetes.
“She
wrote to me and said: ‘For our family, embryonic stem cell research offers the
hope that by the time our son finishes graduate school, scientists will be
developing new therapies or even a cure for his diabetes. Every year that
researchers are denied full access to the best cellular material, and the funds
with which to study it, is a year wasted, and a year denied to my son to live
outside the burden of his disease… Please keep hope alive for Charlie, and
millions of kids like him.’
“Once
again, this is about hope.
“I
am going to keep fighting to make sure this hope stay alive for Suzanne and
millions of others. And I am going to keep working to make sure nothing
stands in the way of our medical researchers and doctors developing cures and
reducing suffering.
“Thank
you, again, Senator Harkin, for holding this hearing, and I look forward to
continuing to work with you on this issue.”
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