NCHLA Action Center

Before Memorial Day the U.S. House of Representatives may vote on a bill authorizing use of federal funds to encourage the destruction of live human embryos for stem cell research.

President Bush’s policy limits federal funding of embryonic stem cell research to cells obtained from embryos as of August 9, 2001. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, introduced by Reps. Michael Castle (R-DE) and Diane DeGette (D-CO), would rescind this policy so that new embryos, initially created for reproduction, can be killed for their stem cells if their parents give consent.

Destroying human embryos to obtain stem cells is both immoral and unnecessary. Stem cells from adult tissues, umbilical cord blood, and other morally acceptable sources are far outdistancing embryonic stem cells in producing cures. See: www.stemcellresearch.org.

Supporters of H.R. 810 are waging a skillful and well-funded campaign to secure the bill’s passage. In the short time before the vote, it is extremely important that Representatives with pro-life and mixed voting records be urged to vote against H.R. 810. The bill has 198 cosponsors (two of whom are non-voting delegates). Please check this list to determine if your Representative is a cosponsor: thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR00810:@@@P.

For current resources online see: www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/stemcell/index.htm and www.stemcellresearch.org. On the latter web site, note the “New Resources” section (far right column of home page), which includes an excellent letter sent by 57 scientists to Senator John Kerry last fall and new one-page fact sheets refuting current arguments.

ACTION: Please contact your Representative by FAX letter, e-mail, and phone. Activate phone trees. Call the U. S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or call your Representative’s local office. For access to full contact information, see: nchla.org/contcong.asp, where you can directly link to Representatives’ e-mail and to their web sites with addresses, phone numbers and the like.

MESSAGE: “Please vote 'no’ on H.R. 810. Destroying human embryos for research purposes is immoral and unnecessary. Please support adult stem cell research.”

WHEN: H.R. 810 may be debated on the House floor before Memorial Day. Please act now! Thanks!