FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 12, 2005
Media Contact: Marilee Tuite, 651-695-2789,
mtuite@aan.com
American Academy of Neurology Supports Embryonic Stem-Cell Research Bill
St. Paul, Minn. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) delivered its
position statement on embryonic stem-cell research to all members of the
U.S. Senate today to demonstrate its support for the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act of 2005 (S.471), which passed the House earlier this year.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has said the Senate will likely
take action on the legislation in mid-July.
S.471 and its companion bill H.R. 810 would expand the funding scope of the
National Institutes of Health to include support for stem-cell research
involving embryos no longer intended for use in fertility treatments. Last
year the AAN approved a position statement that makes the case for passage
of ethically responsible pro-research legislation. The position statement
was published in the May 24, 2005 issue of Neurology.
“We believe this bill would significantly advance embryonic stem-cell
research while ensuring the strongest ethical safeguards possible,” said
Thomas R. Swift, MD, president of the AAN. “Given that the President’s
Council on Bioethics called for both adult and embryonic stem-cell research
back in 2002, we believe it is time to pass this legislation. It will give
American researchers a much better chance to better understand and hopefully
treat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Lou
Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.”
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of nearly 19,000
neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving
patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with
specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the
brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s
disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.
For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, its advocacy
efforts, and position statements, visit
www.aan.com/advocacy