Fw: Last Day to Support Stem Cell Guidelines

[rayilynlee <rayilynlee@xxxxxxx>]

Last Day to Support Stem Cell Guidelines
Rayilyn Brown
Director AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
rbrown@xxxxxxxxx


From: Parkinson's Action Network 
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 10:44 AM
To: Rayilyn Brown 
Subject: Last Day to Support Stem Cell Guidelines


     Take Action Now  

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            Last Day to Support Stem Cell Guidelines  
           
                  NIH comment period closes at 11pm tonight! More Info
                 
                 
                    
                  Today is the last day to comment on NIH's draft stem cell 
guidelines.  Your support for human embryonic stem cell research is needed -- 
each comment is recorded and counted!

                  Although the vast majority of Americans support stem cell 
research, as of last week, most of the comments NIH has received are in 
opposition to stem cell research.  We must do everything we can to shift that 
balance.  Please submit comments if you have not done so already.  Once you 
have submitted your comments, encourage your friends and family to voice their 
support for stem cell research as well.

                  PAN has also submitted organizational comments on the NIH 
draft guidelines.  Generally, PAN is pleased that the draft guidelines greatly 
expand the availability of federal funds for stem cell research.  PAN's 
detailed comments also identify regulatory adjustments and clarifications that 
are needed in the final guidelines, which is far more detail than what 
individuals need to submit.

                  The comment period closes at the end of the day today.   
Please take five minutes to express your support for this important research 
now!

                  How to Submit Your Comments:
                    a.. To access the NIH comment form, visit:  
http://nihoerextra.nih.gov/stem_cells/add.htm 
                    b.. Provide your name, and select 'self' for Affiliation; 
and 
                    c.. Copy and paste the text below into the comment box, 
edit as appropriate, provide the security check ID on the form, and click 
'submit comments.' 
                  Suggested Comment Text:

                  Embryonic stem cell research holds great promise for millions 
of Americans suffering from many diseases and disorders.  I am not a scientist, 
but I am a member of the Parkinson's community and have been following progress 
in this field with great interest.  Significant strides have been made over the 
past decade, and the final guidelines issued by NIH must build on this progress 
so that cures and new therapies can get to patients as quickly as possible.  
The final guidelines should not create new bureaucratic hurdles that will slow 
the pace of progress.

                  I am pleased that these draft guidelines -- in Section II B 
-- would appear to permit federal funding of stem cell lines previously not 
eligible for federal funding and for new lines created in the future from 
surplus embryos at fertility clinics. However, as drafted, Section II B does 
not ensure that any current stem cell line will meet the criteria outlined and 
thus be eligible for federal funding.  It will be important for the final 
guidelines to allow federal funds for research using all stem cell lines 
created by following ethical practices at the time they were derived.  This 
will ensure that the final guidelines build on progress that has already been 
made.

                  I also believe that the final guidelines should permit 
federal funding for stem cell lines derived from sources other than excess IVF 
embryos, such as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).  Sections II B and IV of 
the draft guidelines do not permit such federal funding and I recommend that 
the final guidelines provide federal funding using stem cell lines derived in 
other ways.  If not, it is essential that the NIH continue to monitor 
developments in this exciting research area and to update these guidelines as 
the research progresses. 
           
           
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