Susan Collins: “As a longtime supporter of stem cell research, I am pleased the Senate is once again taking up the Stem Cell Research…”

“As a longtime supporter of stem cell research, I am pleased the Senate is once again taking up the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I am very proud to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill. It will expand the number of stem cell lines that are eligible for federally funded research, enabling scientists to take full advantage of the scientific and medical opportunities provided by stem cells. At the same time, the bill establishes clear standards to ensure this research is conducted ethically. The promise of embryonic stem cell lines lies in their potential to develop into virtually any cell, tissue, or organ in the body. As a consequence, this research holds tremendous potential to treat, and perhaps even cure, a vast array of diseases and conditions. Researchers could, for example, potentially generate insulin-producing islet cells for patients with juvenile diabetes; neurons to treat Parkinson's disease, ALS, and Alzheimer's, as well as bone marrow cells to treat cancer. It is estimated that more than 100 million Americans are afflicted by diseases or disabilities that have the potential to be treated through this promising research.”