For more information contact:

Sean Tipton, w: 202-863-2494, c: 202-421-5112, stipton@asrm-dc.org

Julie Kimbrough, w: 203-438-8211, c: 646-734-6091, juliekimbrough@earthlink.net

Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR)

Statement on Embryonic Stem Cell and Cloning Papers Published in Nature  

Daniel Perry, President, CAMR

October 13, 2005

“The two papers to be published in Nature show that good science occurs when researchers continue to press the horizons of regenerative medicine.” 

“Both the Lanza and Meissner/Jaenisch papers describe research in mice that will hopefully one day lead to additional avenues to explore the tremendous promise of stem cell research.  As their work continues to develop, it is even more important that our nation fully support what is currently the most promising form of of this research—that involving human embryonic stem cells derived from excess fertilized eggs and somatic cell nuclear transfer techniques.” 

 “While some may claim this early-stage research solves the ethical debate over stem cell research, it will not sit well with many who oppose embryonic stem cell research, and in particular somatic cell nuclear transfer.  If researchers had used human cells in the cloning experiment, the authors could face criminal penalties under anti-cloning legislation that has twice passed the House, but which so far has not become law.”  

“It is important that our best scientists are free to do their work using the best materials and methods available, and not be hampered by the misplaced concerns of those who fear scientific and medical progress.  It is imperative to expand the current federal stem cell policy, and ensure that somatic cell nuclear transfer remains legal in the United States.” 

CAMR hosted a reporter teleconference on Friday, October 14th with speakers George Q. Daley, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital, Boston, and Biological Chemisty and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School; Andrew L. LaBarbera, PhD, Scientific Director, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; and Sean Tipton, Vice President, Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research. For a link to the conference recording, please click here:
http://recordings.infiniteconferencing.com/coalition101405.html