Shaheen Discusses New Direction In Stem Cell Research With Michael J. Fox In Durham And Manchester
Tuesday September 23, 2008
Tuesday September 23, 2008
(Manchester, NH) — Today, former Governor and current candidate for U.S.
Senate Jeanne Shaheen was joined by stem cell activist and actor Michael J.
Fox for a discussion about the need for a new direction in stem cell
research.
In his work as head of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's
Research, Fox has been a tireless advocate for the expansion of stem cell
research and the development of better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's
disease.
"I am proud to be here today, campaigning for Governor Shaheen, who has
always been an advocate for expanded stem cell ressearch," said Fox. "For
too long, ideology has dictated science policy in Washington. We need
leaders like Jeanne Shaheen in Washington who will stand up for a new
direction in stem cell research and return to the practice of putting
scientific advancement ahead of ideology."
Shaheen, who has consistently been an advocate for expanded stem cell
research, learned last year that her eldest granddaughter, Elle, has
diabetes.
"I believe that Elle and kids just like her here in New Hampshire and all
over the country deserve the very best medical care we can give them,"
Shaheen said. "I believe that families in New Hampshire have the right to
the best medical research. But unfortunately, in the US Senate John Sununu
has stood with George Bush against the development of these potentially
life-saving treatments and cures.
"We need a new direction in stem cell policy in Washington. I think that
researchers should be permitted and encouraged to pursue both embryonic and
adult stem cell research, with ethical oversight from the National
Institutes of Health. These lines of research could hold the key to cures
for diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries – they could impact the
lives of families like ours all across the country.
"Yet under George Bush and John Sununu, we have lost seven years of
potential advancement in stem cell research. We've lost seven years in the
development of potential cures. We need leaders who will put scientific
advancement ahead of ideology. We need a new direction in Washington."
In July, Shaheen outlined a plan to enhance the role of science in the 21st
century, which included expanded funding for stem cell research and a return
to the principle of placing scientific advancement ahead of ideology. In
2007, when given the chance to vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement
Act, John Sununu was the only New England Senator to stand with George Bush
and vote against lifting Bush's ban on funding expanded stem cell research.
On Monday, Jeanne Shaheen for Senate unveiled a new web ad about stem cell
research, featuring Steve Walter and his son, Alex. View the stem cell web
ad here: http://jeanneshaheen.org/
For more information, visit www.JeanneShaheen.org
Senate Jeanne Shaheen was joined by stem cell activist and actor Michael J.
Fox for a discussion about the need for a new direction in stem cell
research.
In his work as head of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's
Research, Fox has been a tireless advocate for the expansion of stem cell
research and the development of better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's
disease.
"I am proud to be here today, campaigning for Governor Shaheen, who has
always been an advocate for expanded stem cell ressearch," said Fox. "For
too long, ideology has dictated science policy in Washington. We need
leaders like Jeanne Shaheen in Washington who will stand up for a new
direction in stem cell research and return to the practice of putting
scientific advancement ahead of ideology."
Shaheen, who has consistently been an advocate for expanded stem cell
research, learned last year that her eldest granddaughter, Elle, has
diabetes.
"I believe that Elle and kids just like her here in New Hampshire and all
over the country deserve the very best medical care we can give them,"
Shaheen said. "I believe that families in New Hampshire have the right to
the best medical research. But unfortunately, in the US Senate John Sununu
has stood with George Bush against the development of these potentially
life-saving treatments and cures.
"We need a new direction in stem cell policy in Washington. I think that
researchers should be permitted and encouraged to pursue both embryonic and
adult stem cell research, with ethical oversight from the National
Institutes of Health. These lines of research could hold the key to cures
for diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries – they could impact the
lives of families like ours all across the country.
"Yet under George Bush and John Sununu, we have lost seven years of
potential advancement in stem cell research. We've lost seven years in the
development of potential cures. We need leaders who will put scientific
advancement ahead of ideology. We need a new direction in Washington."
In July, Shaheen outlined a plan to enhance the role of science in the 21st
century, which included expanded funding for stem cell research and a return
to the principle of placing scientific advancement ahead of ideology. In
2007, when given the chance to vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement
Act, John Sununu was the only New England Senator to stand with George Bush
and vote against lifting Bush's ban on funding expanded stem cell research.
On Monday, Jeanne Shaheen for Senate unveiled a new web ad about stem cell
research, featuring Steve Walter and his son, Alex. View the stem cell web
ad here: http://jeanneshaheen.org/
For more information, visit www.JeanneShaheen.org
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