The American Diabetes Associatio, the foremost health organization for the support of diabetes research and information in American, has put pressure on the House of Representatives to pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
The legislation will ease up the regulations surrounding stem cell research as well as supporting research that makes use of embryonic stem cells. The legislation of course includes severe ethical guidelines. Bush, predictably, vetoed the legislation last year.
Darlene Cai, the Chair of the ADA, said: “The most respected scientists across the nation are poised to make significant advances toward a cure and better treatments for diabetes, but are being severely restricted by current standards. For the nearly 21 million children and adults with diabetes in the United States who are waiting for a cure, this is unacceptable. The American Diabetes Association remains committed to finding a cure for diabetes, and we support the exploration of every ethical avenue of research that will help us achieve that goal.”
Stem cell research could allow researchers to control and direct stem cells to grow into other cells. In terms of diabetes, this could mean fresh growth of insulin-producing beta cells. Cain concluded: “The American people want to see this bill passed. There is tremendous concern among people with diabetes, and those living with other chronic diseases, that blocking this bill will set back years of progress and devastate the hope of millions. It is the President’s responsibility to listen to those concerns and work with Congress to ensure an outcome which is right for the entire nation.”

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