*EPF104 08/27/01
Text: HHS Secretary Thompson on Stem Cell Research
(Says potential of stem cells is historic opportunity) (630)

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson says the release of a list of laboratories that have human embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federally funded research offers an historic and unique opportunity to the nation's best scientific minds.

In an August 27 statement, Thompson said it's time for the scientific community to begin "the full range of research that is needed to determine the true potential of stem cells to conquer some of the worst diseases that plague humanity."

Thompson added, however, that much fundamental work still needs to be done and that "no one should be under the illusion that cures for diseases are just around the corner."

Because of the capacity of embryonic stem cells to develop into any tissue in the human body, many scientists believe stem cell research holds the promise over time of developing a variety of therapeutic treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Following is the text of Thompson's statement:

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

STATEMENT BY HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON REGARDING STEM CELL LINES

August 27, 2001

After many weeks of hard work and preparation, our National Institutes of Health has named the 10 laboratories throughout the world that own 64 embryonic stem cell lines which meet President Bush's criteria for federally funded research. According to the NIH report, the scientists who developed these stem cell lines report that the cells are "viable, show characteristic stem cell morphology, are either maintained in culture or frozen, and have undergone at least several population doublings."

Now it's time to go to work. The knowledge that these 64 embryonic stem cell lines exist and will be available for research should inspire our nation's best scientific minds to begin planning for ways they can aggressively take advantage of this historic and unique opportunity. The scientific community must seize the moment.

Let's be clear that there is a great deal of basic research that must be done on these cell lines -- and that research can now take place with the assistance of federal funds. But no one should be under the illusion that cures for diseases are just around the corner, for there is much fundamental work to be done.

The NIH wants to expedite this work and is aggressively pursuing several initiatives to facilitate research on all forms of stem cells. The NIH is creating a registry of the embryonic stem cell lines that meet the eligibility criteria so researchers can contact the owners and gain access to them. The registry will contain basic information about the cells, a unique identifier, the name of the company or laboratory that derived the cells, and contact information about that company or lab. The registry will list these 10 laboratories as well as any other owners of stem cell lines meeting the eligibility criteria who come forward in the future. Also, the NIH is welcoming grant applications for federal funds, including use of existing funds, for stem cell research.

Earlier this month, President Bush opened the door to the full spectrum of ethically acceptable stem cell research. Now, it's time for our scientists to walk through that door, into the laboratory, and begin research into the full range of research that is needed to determine the true potential of stem cells to conquer some of the worst diseases that plague humanity. We pledge to the scientific community the unwavering support of the NIH and HHS as well as our best wishes in their research endeavors.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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