Press Release

CA May Lead Race for US Progress in Stem Cell Research

For Immediate Release - Contact: Roy Speckhardt at (202) 238-9088

(Washington, D.C., June 4, 2004) "California's proposal to provide $3 billion for stem cell research is a welcome step toward progressive change in this field, especially with the loss of talented scientists to countries where research is not limited," states Tony Hileman, executive director of the American Humanist Association.

Advances in the biological and medical sciences have the potential to affect all our lives. Advances like these can arouse fear, consternation, and confusion among the uninformed, and should evoke caution in all. But stem cell research is a highly regarded tool in the search for treatment of such debilitating conditions as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injuries.

The Bush administration has unnecessarily limited the number of human embryonic stem cell lines available for research. The 78 stem cell lines Bush thought would be available has shrunk to 15, not nearly enough to meet the growing demand for research. "This is a crucial moment for expanding scientific advances in medical research that will benefit millions. It's tragic that some have made it more difficult, but now Californians have a chance to remove unethical obstacles," states Bill Jacobsen, executive director, The Humanist Community in Palo Alto.

In addition to opening the doors to increased stem cell research, this ballot initiative specifically bans the funding of cloning programs designed for human reproduction. Yet, opponents mistakenly equate therapeutic cloning to reproductive cloning, the growth of a child. Therapeutic cloning, the process that creates embryonic stem cells that can be nearly any type of cell, uniquely benefits existing stem cell research by generating stem cells that are a perfect genetic match for patients, thus avoiding frequent complications. "For humanity's sake, this research must not be prohibited," adds Tony Hileman.

"We oppose efforts to indiscriminately condemn the advancement of science and resist censorship of research based on sectarian or political grounds. Scientists should be unrestricted in their freedom to ethically pursue therapeutic cloning and stem cell research," concludes Hileman.

The American Humanist Association is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive nontheistic outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity .

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