2021 K Street, N.W., Suite 305 ¨ Washington D.C. 20006 ¨ 202.293.2856¨ www.camradvocacy.org

FOR RELEASE - Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Contact: Sarah Youngerman, 651.485.7171

               Or Sean Tipton, 202.421.5112

PRESIDENT BUSH’S VETO OF STEM CELL BILL DASHES HOPE FOR 100 MILLION AMERICANS

The following statement may be attributed to Sean Tipton, president, Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR):

“President Bush single-handedly dashed the hopes and prayers of the American people today while severely compromising America’s leadership position in the fields of science and medicine. By issuing the first veto ever during his Presidency to shoot down the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, President Bush once again ignored the will of the people and the best scientific expertise and advice in favor of the wishful thinking of his political advisors.

“Nearly three-quarters of Americans and the majority of both the Republican-led House and Senate support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. For the President to give in to an extremist, single-issue minority on this issue is a travesty.

“More than 100 million Americans suffer from cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders for which embryonic stem cell research holds great promise in finding new and better treatments and cures. Those individuals, along with their families, friends, and caregivers, will remember this day as the day their President signed away their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“It’s a sad day in America when a President thinks it is okay to say:

n To the toddler with diabetes, we’re sorry that you’ll have to endure 3,000 finger sticks and 1,000 insulin shots every year for the rest of your life.

n To the father suffering from Parkinson’s, we’re sorry that you may not get to see your daughter walk down the aisle at her wedding.

n To the college student with a spinal cord injury, we’re sorry that you may never have the chance to leave your wheelchair behind and walk again.

“Despite our outrage and anger at this veto, we will continue to do whatever we can to advance embryonic stem cell research in America. We will always be grateful for the strong, bipartisan support on this issue in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and among the American people.”