April 13, 2001
Specter, Harkin Reintroduce Stem Cell Bill
Senators Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) have reintroduced legislation to authorize federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells. The bill (S. 723) would permit federally funded scientists to extract stem cells from embryos that have been donated from in-vitro fertilization clinics, a practice not permitted under current law.
The bill prohibits human embryonic stem cell research that would result in the creation of human embryos or the "reproductive cloning of a human being." The bill also calls for the expansion of the existing NIH guidelines governing human embryonic stem cell research to include rules that govern the derivation of stem cells from donated embryos.
Senators Thurmond (R-S.C.), Chafee (R-R.I.), Smith (R-Ore.), Hollings (D-S.C.), Reid (D-Nevada), Murray (D-Wash.), Clinton (D-N.Y.), Corzine (D-N.J.), Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kerry (D-Mass.), and Inouye (D-Hawaii) are original co-sponsors of the bill, which was introduced April 5.
The AAMC has endorsed this bill.
Information: Dave Moore, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0525.
