Tuesday, January 28, 2008; 10:30 p.m. ET; Washington, D.C.

CAMR QUESTIONS PRESIDENT BUSH'S UNDERSTANDING OF IMPORTANT HEALTHCARE ISSUE

This statement may be attributed to Amy Comstock Rick, president, Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR):

"Tonight the President recognized the impact of recent scientific announcements and called for Congress to pass legislation that would directly impact and potentially limit the ability of this nation’s best scientific researchers to pursue promising opportunities for better treatments and cures for many life-threatening diseases and disorders.  In addition, in yet another attempt to halt what leading scientists believe is the most promising research and, therefore, deny hope to 100 million American patients, the President declared his opposition to embryonic stem cell research in tonight's State of the Union address. We firmly agree with the President about the need to ‘trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow’ as well as 'trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries.’  We also agree that there should be a ban on reproductive cloning.

But we firmly disagree with the President’s call for limitations on cutting-edge biomedical research. Such limitations would tie the hands of scientists and halt life-saving research and place on hold the search for cures.  Instead, the President continues to ignore the majority of Americans who see hope in stem cell science.  Decision makers and policy leaders on both sides of the aisle know that supporting embryonic stem cell research, along with all other forms of stem cell research, is a pro-life decision. The lives and well-being of more than 100 million Americans depend on this research moving forward with federal dollars and oversight, not misguided executive orders and bans that prohibit finding treatments and cures for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other debilitating diseases and disorders.

"Nearly three-quarters of Americans across political party lines and religious affiliations support embryonic stem cell research and want federal funding and oversight for this important work. While CAMR supports all forms of regenerative medicine, we think it is irresponsible to tie the hands of our nation's scientists and prevent them from doing the ethical work they believe will make a difference."

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The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) is the nation's leading pro-cures coalition. CAMR is comprised of nationally recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, and foundations advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine -- including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer -- to cure disease and alleviate suffering for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders.