The American Nurses Association Announces Support For The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act 2007

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 16 Jan 2007 - 15:00 PDT


The American Nurses Association (ANA) today announces its support for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 3) which promotes the ethical use of stem cells for research and therapeutic purposes that impact health. ANA endorses the federal funding of stem cell research conducted within strict scientific and ethical guidelines. In addition, ANA will work to advance public policy on stem cell research that considers ethical and health care issues.

The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 expands federally funded embryonic stem cell research, provided the cells meet the following requirements:

1. the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment;
2. The embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded;
3. The individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and without receiving any financial or other inducements to make the donation. Congress had approved a comparable bill in 2006, but the legislation was vetoed by President Bush.

"ANA supports this legislation because we believe stem cell research could have a significant impact on the nation's health and quality of life," commented ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "ANA supports participation in the ethical, legal, and social debate surrounding stem cell research by all communities. We are committed to working through political action to improve the health of the nation."

"As a nurse, I know that stem cell research offers great promise and offers much needed hope for millions of patients and their families," remarked Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA). "Passing H.R. 3 The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act will advance the possibilities of this life saving research. It is my hope the Senate will add their strong support to this life saving legislation, and together our voices and the voices of the American people calling for this research will be heard."

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses through its 54 constituent member nurses associations. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

http://www.nursingworld.org

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