Groups Form Coalition to Advance Embryonic Stem Cell Research
A stem cell policy group is rounding up research foundations and state groups to unite in an online campaign advocating government funding for embryonic research and advocacy.
Genetics Policy Institute launched on Thursday the Stem Cell Action Coalition for Cures to round up supporters of embryonic stem cell research.
"The way it is designed is for our organizations, and state organizations to have an online presence so that each state organization can use that website to have the information about that state's fight for stem cell research against unreasonable restrictions," said GPI Executive Director Bernard Siegel.
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GPI outlines its objective on its website: "Our goal is enlist 1,000,000 people across America and the world." Together, GPI hopes to create a "political force" to change legal, regulatory and funding structures in order to advance Stem Center Research into treatments.
"Once you have the strength of those numbers of disease groups or science groups or scientific societies behind you, suddenly you have a different sort of voice in Washington [D.C.]," Siegel explained.
Christian medical professionals approve and applaud advancement in adult stem cell research.
Last month Christian Medical Association CEO Dr. David Stevens praised Children's Hospital researchers for their development of safe alternatives human embryonic stem cells using RNA.
"This breakthrough validates many other significant proofs of the therapeutic promise of induced pluripotent stem cells and adult stem cells," declared Steven.
However, they remain resolutely against the use of embryos to provide embryonic stem cells. "The end doesn't justify the means," CMA Vice President Gene Rudd has maintained.
CMA is currently entrenched in a legal battle to restrict federal funding for embryonic research. Their case is awaiting an appeal hearing in the Circuit Court. An administrative stay put a temporary freeze on new funding for stem cell research.
GPI argues that current medical advancements are not enough to cure diseases like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or paralysis. It contends that embryonic research opponents are blocking "the great innovations of our time."
In addition to raising support, GPI Associate Director Robert Margolin says its goal is to also raise money to advance legislation for embryonic research funding and fight well-funded opposition groups.
"We need to implement grassroots fundraising now, and I think that the Stem Cell Action website can serve as the platform were all of our groups can come together and get hundreds, maybe thousands of people raising money for donor drive," stated Margolin.
GPI initially launched the Stem Cell Action website before its Michigan World Stem Cell Summit last month. During the summit, leaders rallied organizations to embrace the site as their national platform. As of today, the campaign's official launch date, the site has a coalition of 25 groups including the Addi and Cassi Fund and Neural Stem Cell Institute.
