BIO Joins Gov. McGreevey and Others in Advocating Fewer Restrictions on Life-Saving Research
"BIO applauds Gov. McGreevey's advocacy of stem cell research and his leadership in putting together today's event. The powerful properties of embryonic stem cells - consistently demonstrated in peer-reviewed studies - have generated excitement in the scientific community. Researchers have long believed that stem cell research could help develop treatments and cures for debilitating conditions such as cancer, spinal cord injury, and diabetes.
"The private sector has made enormous progress in this field since the isolation of the human embryonic stem cell in 1998. But federal funding, through the NIH, will accelerate the pace of discovery and lead to cures and treatments for patients sooner.
"Current federal restrictions are stifling stem cell research in the United States. BIO urges removal of the restrictions, along with the creation of guidelines to provide an ethical framework for the research."
BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
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