A Message About Stem Cell Legislation

This is from a good friend of mine (Ria's godmother, as a matter of fact), and I thought I'd pass it along...

Dear Friends,

The House passed H.R. 810 in 2005. This bill lifts the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, whether or not embryos are destroyed. The Senate intends to vote on this bill (in the Senate it is S. 471) mid-July. All bill information is available at thomas.loc.gov.

PLEASE contact your senators and let them know that you do NOT support this bill.

1. Find your senator's phone number in Washington, D.C.: www.senate.gov/contact

2. Call and ask the person who answers the phone to let your senator know that you do NOT support Senate Bill 471, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. You are asking he/she vote NO because this bill supports the destruction of human life.

3. You're done! Estimated time: 3 minutes (unless they put you on hold).

I have had polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since I was 9 years old, many years now. This disease is one that supporters of embryonic stem cell research claim they will be able to cure. A good end, however, does not justify unjust means. I am one of many arthritis patients who do not support embryonic stem cell research -- Congress needs to hear this message, and to hear that there are many of their constituents who do not support it.

There are two other stem cell research bills that are supposed to be voted on as well. The first would "prohibit the solicitation or acceptance of tissue from fetuses gestated for research purposes." It is S. 3504, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006, introduced in June 2006 by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rick Santorum (R-PA).

The second is S. 2754, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Act, introduced by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA). This bill would amend the Public Health Service Act and require stem cell research using stem cells not derived from a human embryo. A brave new world, indeed, all of which detracts from the exciting research going on with adult stem cells.

Please call, especially about S. 471, it will only take a few minutes of your time. Our legislators hear frequently from those who support embryonic stem cell research. They need to also hear from those of us who do NOT support research that destroys human embryos.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." --Edmund Burke

Thank you so much,

Alietia Caughron, Ph.D.