The National Abortion Federation Commends the Senate for Their Support of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Here is the press release we issued yesterday:

Washington, DC – In response to yesterday’s passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act with strong bipartisan support in the United States Senate, Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, released the following statement:

Wednesday, Senators expressed their commitment to medical research and passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act 63-34. This legislation would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and permit scientists to extract stem cells from embryos that were created for the purposes of fertility treatments, so long as they are in excess of a couple’s need and donated with appropriate informed consent.

The National Abortion Federation (NAF) supports embryonic stem cell research, which has the potential to help find new treatments, or even cures, for those individuals suffering from degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinsons, ALS, and Alzheimers. We applaud the Senate’s passage of this bill. The House also passed its version of this legislation with strong bipartisan support in January.

Unfortunately, President Bush has pledged to veto this critical legislation. We urge President Bush to follow Congress’s lead and sign this legislation into law, instead of continuing to play politics with people’s lives and health.