Tom Harkin: “Let me read, though, from a letter from George Daley, who is one of the foremost researchers on embryonic stem cell…”

“Let me read, though, from a letter from George Daley, who is one of the foremost researchers on embryonic stem cell research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at the Harvard Medical School. Mr. Daley has testified, and I think he testified that day we were there. I wrote him a letter asking him about his views on using embryonic stem cells that have been called ``naturally dead.'' He said: Though some Senators might be persuaded to vote for expanded funding for human embryonic stem cells derived from ``naturally dead'' stem cells, this would be a step backwards for embryonic stem cell research. The definition of a ``naturally dead'' embryo as required in the alternative bill is highly problematic. S. 5 remains the greatest hope for advancing embryonic stem cell research in this country. The concept that human embryonic stem cells might be derived from a ``naturally dead'' embryo originated in an article authored by Landry and Zucker in the Journal of Clinical Investigation 2004. The article contained the following passage: ``For a developed human organism, brain death marks the irreversible loss of the capacity for all ongoing and integrated organic function . . .'' As we just mentioned. We propose-- Get this: We propose that the defining capacity of a 4 or 8 cell human embryo is continued and integrated cellular division, growth, and differentiation.”