Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act Passes the Senate

Thanks to all the hard work of our supporters, on April 11th the U.S. Senate passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5), with bipartisan support.  This bill will accelerate stem cell research by easing existing funding restrictions and supporting research that uses embryonic stem cells, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines.

Darlene Cain, Chair of the Board of the American Diabetes Association, had this to say about the vote, “For the millions of patients with type 1 diabetes that rely on insulin to survive, and for the millions more with type 2 diabetes who would benefit from new treatments, the passage today of the ‘Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act’ brings us one step closer to unlocking the resources that could lead to major discoveries in our fight against this disease. 

Unfortunately, President Bush has signaled that he will overrule the wishes of the people and veto this bill. Over the next several days we will need to support of our diabetes advocates once again as we urge members of the Senate and House to work together to override the veto that President Bush has promised. Only then can we move forward in our fight to cure diabetes.