AAMC's Letter to President Bush on Stem Cell Research
[The AAMC has also written a letter
to Senators Specter and Harkin concerning their stem cell
research legislation, S.
723. The Coalition
for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) can provide
additional information on efforts to maintain federal funding
for stem cell research. The Coalition is an organization of
universities, scientific and academic societies, patients’
organizations, and other entities that are devoted to ensuring
that federal funding will be available for stem cell research
using fertilized eggs developed for in vitro fertilization
and that the current federal guidelines overseeing the research
are retained. The AAMC is a charter member of the Coalition
and serves on its board of directors.]
May 10, 2001
The President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The Association of American Medical Colleges urges you to
support Federal funding for research using human pluripotent
stem cells. We join with patient groups, Nobel prize-winning
researchers, and other Americans in our belief that the current
National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines,
which enable scientists to conduct stem cell research under
strict federal oversight and standards, should remain in effect.
The discovery of human pluripotent stem cells is a significant
research advance and Federal support to American researchers
is essential to translate this discovery into novel therapies
for a range of serious and intractable diseases.
The therapeutic potential of pluripotent stem cells is remarkable
- arguably more remarkable than any previous advance in the
history of medical science. These cells have the unique potential
to differentiate into any human cell type and offer real hope
of life-affirming treatments for diabetes, damaged heart tissue,
arthritis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS and spinal cord injuries,
to name but a few examples. There is also the possibility
that these cells could be used to create more complex, vital
organs, such as kidneys, livers, or even hearts.
Some suggest that adult stem cells may be sufficient to pursue
all treatments for human disease. A group of 80 Nobel laureates
eloquently addressed this concern in a letter to you dated
February 22, 2001:
"It is premature to conclude that adult stem cells
have the same potential as embryonic stem cells -- and that
potential will almost certainly vary from disease to disease.
Current evidence suggests that adult stem cells have markedly
restricted differentiation potential. Therefore, for disorders
that prove not to be treatable with adult stem cells, impeding
human pluripotent stem cell research risks unnecessary delay
for millions of patients who may die or endure needless
suffering while the effectiveness of adult stem cells is
evaluated."
We recognize the significant ethical issues that are raised
about embryonic stem cell research and we respect the view
of those who oppose such research, including some in our own
medical school community. However, we are persuaded otherwise
by what we believe is an equally compelling ethical consideration,
namely, that. it would be tragic to waste the unique potential
afforded by embryonic stem cells, destined to be discarded
in any case, to alleviate human suffering and enhance the
quality of human life.
We urge you to allow research on pluripotent stem cells
to continue with Federal support, so that the tremendous
scientific and medical benefits of their use may one
day become available to the millions of American patients
who so desperately need them. Before you make any decision
that would deny hope to millions of patients and their families,
we urge you and your staff to obtain a detailed scientific
briefing on stem cell research. We would be pleased
to arrange such a briefing at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Jordan J. Cohen, M.D.
President, AAMC
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