Washington D.C.- 6 March 2001-The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) sent a letter to President George W. Bush expressing its strong support for federal funding of research using human stem cells from embryonic, fetal and adult sources. "It would be tragic," the letter states, "to squander this opportunity to pursue work that can potentially help millions of Americans in need."

According to the letter, the discovery of stem cells, capable of giving rise to virtually any tissue type, could be the most significant scientific and medical breakthrough in the past decade. The result of such research could lead to treatments and/or cures for some of America's most degenerative illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury, and heart disease. In addition, the study of stem cells could contribute to the understanding of birth defects and the development of new drugs targeted at specific diseases.

The letter, which was signed by Mary L. Good, chair of the AAAS Board, Peter H. Raven, president of AAAS, and Floyd E. Bloom, president-elect of AAAS, offers to assist the administration in its review of current federal policy regarding stem-cell research. The AAAS officers expressed their wish that government policy will not foreclose the hope that the many sufferers of disease and disability have vested in stem-cell research.

The letter acknowledges that there is a common misconception that the use of adult stem cells-as opposed to embryonic and fetal stem cells-will be sufficient for research. The AAAS notes that, based on current knowledge, many in the scientific community doubt that adult stem cells will be as effective as other stem cells in treating diseases.

In addition to the letter, a detailed AAAS report on the subject of stem-cell research was sent to President Bush. Based on many months of study by scientists, ethicists, and theologians, the November 1999 report recommends that "fe
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Contact: Nisha Narayanan
nnarayan@aaas.org
202-326-6434
American Association for the Advancement of Science
20-Jul-2001

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