Governor
McGreevey Backs Stem Cell Legislation
Continuing
his commitment to make New Jersey a national leader in cancer
care and research, Governor James E. McGreevey pledged to support
legislation which would authorize stem cell research in the state.
“Stem
cell research is the wave of the future in biomedical research,”
McGreevey said. “The therapeutic potential of undifferentiated
stem cells is remarkable—arguably more remarkable than any previous
advance in the history of medical science.”
The Governor urged the Assembly to pass Senate Bill 1909, which
would permit stem cell research and provide strict guidelines
for the process. The bill has already been approved by the Senate.
“Embryonic stem cell research offers real hope to the hundreds
of thousands of New Jerseyans suffering from cancer, diabetes,
damaged heart tissue, arthritis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS
and spinal cord injuries,” McGreevey said.
“Research
with embryonic stem cells has the potential to revolutionize medicine,”
said Dr. Frank Castello, Medical Director of Children’s Specialized
Hospital. “Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into cell
types with different functions. This may lead to a whole new approach
to treating disease by using living cells that can differentiate
into blood; skin, heart or brain cells and potentially treat cancers,
spinal cord injuries or heart disease.”
The bill would:
Permit research involving the derivation and use of human embryonic
stem cells, human embryonic germ cells and human adult stem cells
from any source, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation.
Require a review of issues related to this research by a nine-member
institutional review board, which will advise me and the Legislature.
Require physicians treating a patient for infertility to provide
patients with information to allow them to make an informed and
voluntary choice regarding the use of human embryos following
infertility treatment.
“It
is time we start thinking about the children who are suffering
from diseases such as cerebral palsy and juvenile diabetes, which
may someday be cured through advances in stem cell research,”
added Senator Barbara Buono (D- Middlesex). “Young children who
have never experienced a life without physical pain may stand
to benefit most from the work we accomplish in this field.”#
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