Anna Eshoo: “I support S. 3504 because I think it is essential to have the strictest of guidelines that reflect our Nation's values…”

“I support S. 3504 because I think it is essential to have the strictest of guidelines that reflect our Nation's values regarding the creation and responsible treatment of human embryos. Having said this, if we pass this bill without also enacting legislation to allow for federally funded and regulated stem cell research, we are saying ``no'' to the potential of life saving treatments for millions of Americans who suffer from diseases for which there are currently limited or no treatment options. Later this week, the House will likely vote on H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, a bill which puts into place critical federal support for embryonic research under the strictest ethical requirements, and I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. Under H.R. 810 embryonic stem cell lines will be eligible for research funding only if embryos used to derive stem cells were originally created for fertility treatment purposes, are in excess of clinical need, and are donated for the purpose of research. H.R. 810 will bring embryonic stem cell research under the National Institutes of Health, ensuring rigorous controls and ethical guidelines on this research that only NIH can impose. We have a moral imperative to ensure that this research is conducted in adherence to sound medical, ethical, and moral guidelines.…”