Sen. Hatch Says He Will Lead Fight
for Funding Embryonic Stem Cell Research

A leading advocate for cancer research in the Senate said he will lead a fight on the Senate floor to pass legislation that will allow the federal government to provide funds for embryonic stem cell research.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) told attendees at the BMT Tandem Meetings that he’s hopeful the debate will take place “in the near future.”  His comments were presented via video at the ASBMT President’s Dinner upon the occasion of his receiving the 2006 ASBMT Public Service Award.

“All of you are in an excellent position to advance the new field of regenerative medicine through stem cell research and its future applications,” he said.  “The possibility that stem cells may be used one day to regenerate damaged or diseased tissues represents a major paradigm shift in modern medicine.”

Sen. Hatch was the author and introduced the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, which became law with the President’s signature in December.  “This new law will create a national umbilical cord blood network designed to bank 150,00 cord blood units,” he said.  “It also will expand access to life-saving therapies for many Americans facing devastating illnesses. 

“The outstanding efforts by many of you in the audience have demonstrated that cord blood is an alternative to bone marrow and should be made available at a reasonable cost for those who need it,” he said.