Contact:
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
Governor Jim Doyle released the following statement regarding the Castle-DeGette stem cell research bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. The bill is now awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.
“Scientific leaders in Wisconsin have told us that the Bush restrictions are making it harder for them to do their research, and putting our state at a disadvantage compared to other countries. Most importantly, these restrictions are delaying potential cures for deadly and debilitating diseases. It is time to let researchers do their jobs.
“Families suffering the effects of Parkinson’s or diabetes are waiting and hoping that medical science may hold an answer for them. We should not ask them to wait even longer because of special interest group politics. I urge the Senate to follow the lead of the House and pass this legislation without delay.
The Castle-DeGette bill would permit federal money to fund research on stem cells taken from days-old embryos stored in freezers at fertility clinics and donated by couples who no longer need them. Such embryos are now usually destroyed.
