Embryonic Stem Cell Basics

Embryonic Stem Cells Hold Tremendous Promise
The suffering of millions could end

· These cells could be the "missing link" needed to cure some of the world's most deadly diseases.
· Scientists already have shown they can direct the development of human embryonic cells into insulin-producing cells that might help cure juvenile diabetes.
· Up to 100 million Americans may benefit from this research.
· Embryonic stem cells offer more promise than adult stem cells.
· Most scientists believe and studies show that embryonic stem cells will likely be more effective in curing diseases because they can grow and differentiate into any of the body's cells and tissues and thus into different organs.
· The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (CDRF) supports research involving both adult and embryonic stem cells. 

Watch a free video on stem cells produced by the American Society for Cell Biology.

Excess Fertilized Eggs Are Available For Research
A majority of couples want to help save lives

· Stem cells come from excess fertilized eggs stored in freezers at in vitro fertility (IVF) clinics.
· There are tens of thousands of these fertilized eggs available for research. 
· Nearly half of infertile couples say they would like to see some good come from their excess eggs.  

Federal Funding of the Research Protects the Public Interest
Private funding means research without federal oversight

· Without federal funding, the nation's top academic researchers at universities, medical schools and teaching hospitals cannot join in the search for cures, which means much slower progress.
· Tax dollars keep the "public" in public interest. This research should not be confined to the for-profit, commercial sector.
· The government should be providing oversight of the work and ensuring that the research complies with ethical guidelines.

State Legislative Initiatives

· The Reeve Foundation supports state efforts to create safe-havens for critical medical research such as stem cells and therapeutic cloning, but it is no substitute for a supportive federal policy.
· State legislation that is pro-stem cell and therapeutic cloning research helps attract top scientists/researchers to pursue this field of study and increases research activity. 
· Increased research activity helps bring us closer to scientific advances which could lead to cures.
· State legislation which requires IVF clinics to inform patients of their option to donate excess fertilized eggs for research helps increase the supply of material available for research.  This in turn helps increase the genetic diversity of new stem cell lines which could be developed. 
· State governments that pass anti-stem cell and therapeutic cloning legislation, such as Iowa, force researchers to flee to states like New Jersey and California, which provide more positive environments.
· Broadly-worded state bans on all human cloning will only stop important research and possible cures.

Public Opinion Strongly Favors Embryonic Stem Cell Research

· The American people want embryonic stem cell research to move forward.
· Members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle support the research.  In the last Congress, both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.  But, President Bush issued his first veto to the legislation.  This year, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bi-partisan support.  It is awaiting a vote in the Senate.
· A recent national poll shows strong support for stem cell research among Bush voters, 52% strongly or somewhat support medical research using stem cells from excess fertilized eggs, and 55% agreed the current federal stem cell policy should be expanded.   
· Independent opinion surveys over the last three years consistently show strong public support for embryonic stem cell research (USA Today, Gallup, Pew Research Center, ABC News, CAMR , and others).
· There is surprisingly strong backing among fundamentalist Christians, Catholics and abortion opponents. 
· Hundreds of newspapers throughout the country have editorialized in favor of the research.