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Cell Biologists Hail Senate Passage of Stem Cell Bill

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 July 2006, 18:00 CDT

BETHESDA, Md., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding the number of human embryonic stem cells available for use by U.S. government-funded researchers was approved by the Senate with its passage of H.R. 810, 63 - 37. American Society for Cell Biology President Mary Beckerle praised the United States Senate for approving the bill.

Fourteen months earlier, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 810, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, by a vote of 238-194.

"Human embryonic stem cell research holds great promise and yesterday, 63 Senators affirmed their belief in that promise," said Beckerle. "This promise will be best advanced through responsible, ethical research funded by the National Institutes of Health," Beckerle continued. "For decades, the United States has been a world leader in biomedical research. If the United States is going to maintain that position, we must do two things as a nation: grow the biomedical research enterprise via funding for the NIH and support cutting edge biomedical research such as with stem cells."

H.R. 810 goes to the White House today. White House officials have indicated that the President will veto the bill -- his first veto. "This veto, like his below-inflation annual budget proposals for the National Institutes of Health tarnishes his legacy of support for science and biomedical research," said Beckerle.

The American Society for Cell Biology is a nonprofit organization representing over 12000 basic biomedical researchers in the United States and over 50 other countries.

For further information, contact Kevin Wilson, ASCB Director of Public Policy, at (301) 347-9300.

American Society for Cell Biology

CONTACT: Kevin Wilson, Director of Public Policy of the American Societyfor Cell Biology, +1-301-347-9300

Web site: http://www.ascb.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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