Talent Opposed Federal Stem Cell Bill. On
July 18, 2006
, Talent voted against the stem cell research bill to allow for expanded research. In spite of Talent's opposition, the bill garnered bipartisan support and passed anyway, only to be vetoed by President Bush in the first veto of his administration. [HR 810, Vote 206, 7/18/06]
- Former Republican Senator Danforth Upset Over Bush Veto. Former Sen. John Danforth, whose brother died of Lou Gehrig's disease, reacted angrily to Bush's vetoing of the stem cell research bill: "I think a lot of people are going to vote on this issue. I served in elected office as a Republican for 26 years. Is somebody telling me I don't count? My brother doesn't count? What counts is that religious theory that says what takes place in a lab dish takes precedent over my brother?" said Danforth. [Associated Press, 7/20/06]
After 204 Days of Refusing to Make a Decision, Talent Took a Personal Position Against
Missouri
's Stem Cell Initiative. In May 2006, Talent finally announced that he did not support the Missouri Ballot Initiative in favor of stem cell research to support lifesaving cures. [Associated Press, 5/2/06]
Stem Cell Research Shown to Improve Parkinson's in Monkeys. In 2005, the Journal of Clinical Investigation published a study by
Kyoto
University
scientists that showed stem cells taken from monkey embryos and then implanted in the brain reversed some Parkinson's symptoms in monkeys. The research was used to support arguments that stem cells taken from recently developed embryos could be used to replaced damaged tissues. [MSNBC, 1/4/05]
Stem Cell Research Offers Possibility of Curing Sickle Cell Anemia. Studies have shown that adult stem cells have the potential to only treat 20% of sickle cell patients while embryonic stem cells offer the possibility of treating all patients. [Disease and Injuries, "Sickle Cell Anemia,"
Missouri
Coalition for Lifesaving Cures]
Embryonic Research Breakthrough Reported in January 2006. In January 2006, newspapers reported that researchers at the
University
of
California
at
San Francisco
recently discovered a technique using embryonic stem cells to treat sickle cell anemia. In the study, researchers harvested embryonic stem cells and manipulated them to produce healthy red blood cells that could be transferred into patients via bone marrow transplants. It was noted that the new technique "could allow people born with this genetic defect to live with few or no complications from their illness." It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans have the sickle cell genetic trait and more than 70,000 people have the disease. [
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/10/06]
