WHAT:

Foremost physician expert on stem cell research will testify before senators in support of Senate Bill 73, the adult stem cell research bill by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville).

WHEN:

Thursday, March 12, 10 am

WHERE:

Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting, Senate Chamber, Texas Capitol

WHO:

Texas Medical Association (TMA) physician leader James T. Willerson, MD. Dr. Willerson is president and medical director of Cardiology Research, and codirector of the Cullen Cardiovascular Research Laboratories at Texas Heart Institute in Houston. He and other physicians have participated in the world's first clinical trial to treat heart attack patients with a special type of adult stem cell to promote better healing and to prevent congestive heart failure. Dr. Willerson also is immediate past president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

WHY:

TMA supports Senate Bill 73, which would help establish an expert research coordinating board to create the Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Consortium. This body would oversee funding for adult stem cell research received from both public and private sectors. Stem cell research has the potential to cure more than 130 million Americans suffering from chronic, degenerative conditions. These include heart disease and stroke, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injuries. Adult stem cell research could lead to the discovery of successful treatments and potential cures for these injuries, which currently afflict more than 1.2 million Texans.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 44,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA's key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

http://www.texmed.org