Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Praises Development of New Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines; New Lines Help Fill Void Created by Restrictive Federal Policy 3/3/2004
From: Julie Kimbrough, 212-585-3501 or juliekimbrough@earthlink.net, for the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research NEW YORK, March 3 -- Today, the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) praised Dr. Douglas A. Melton of Harvard University for his work in creating seventeen new human embryonic stem cell lines. The research, detailed in a paper entitled "Derivation of Embryonic Stem Cell Lines from Human Blastocysts", was published today in the New England Journal of Medicine online version. CAMR, comprised of over 80 nationally recognized patient groups, universities, and scientific societies, led the charge to support U.S. federal funding of embryonic stem cell research and has led the efforts opposing a U.S. ban on therapeutic cloning. "Dr. Melton has long been regarded as one of the world's leading stem cell researchers and today's announcement provides great hope to patients throughout the country," said Daniel Perry, President of CAMR. "These new cell lines will begin to fill the unfortunate void created by a restrictive federal policy, which has left the NIH with less than fifteen usable lines to offer researchers," added Perry. According to the paper, the lines were created with excess fertilized eggs donated from IVF clinics. The lines will be made available to researchers who apply. Because the new embryonic stem cell lines were derived after August 9, 2001, scientists cannot use any federal funds to conduct research using these new lines. CAMR has been a staunch advocate for expanding the current federal stem cell research policy because many of the lines available through the NIH are not genetically or racially diverse enough to meet researcher needs. In addition, developing therapies for patients from the NIH stem cell lines may also prove difficult since they were made using mouse feeder cells and bovine serums, making them subject to FDA xenotransplantation regulations. Researchers are also hesitant to use the NIH lines for patient therapies when uncontaminated lines are being developed in the private sector and in other countries. "It's a shame that federally-funded researchers cannot use the new lines created by Dr. Melton and his team. This once again stresses the need for a more broadminded federal policy that encourages medical research and thus supports patients suffering from life-threatening diseases and conditions," stressed Perry. Scientists believe embryonic stem cells may hold vast potential in the fight against deadly diseases and conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, ALS, and many others. The cells, which can replicate themselves indefinitely, may some day be used to grow new tissue that will become the "missing link" needed to cure some of the world's most debilitating illnesses and conditions. ------ The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), is comprised of nationally-recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders, advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine -- including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer -- in order to cure disease and alleviate suffering. For more information on CAMR, visit the Web site: http://www.camradvocacy.org. Editor's Note: For release after Lifting of NEJM embargo on same topic, scheduled for March 3. |