Senate Passes Umbilical Cord Blood Bill; Avoids Stem Cell Controversy

Stem Cell research got a non-controversial boost by the Senate on Friday when it passed an umbilical cord stem cell bill that avoids the controversy over embryonic stem cells. The bill had been temporarily held up while some senators discussed whether it should pass without an embryonic stem cell bill attached. The bill was already approved by the House of Representatives, which means the President just needs to sign it."The use of stem cells from umbilical cords represents a breakthrough of immense promise,” said Rep. Artur Davis (D-Al). “This legislation will expand the inventory of cord blood units and will streamline the process for the receipt of blood matches.”The new bill creates a national databank that can be used by doctors to treat diseases – including leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and Krabbe disease, which mostly affects infants – and will provide 79 million dollars to increase the availability of cord blood, making it easier for doctors to find a match for patients, according to the Associated Press.The number of units available would increase to 150,000 making matches available to 90 percent of patients who need it.Pro-life advocates support adult stem cell and cord blood stem cell research because each does not involve destroying an embryo, as is done in embryonic stem cell research.Some scientists believe that embryonic stem cell research has the potential to cure untreatable ailments such as diabetes, Parkinson's, and damaged spinal cords. The reason cited is that embryonic stem cells have the potential to develop into any type of cell, increasing the possibility of targeting certain diseases. Experiments on embryonic stem cells have been taking place since 1998 but have not yet provided cures, according to the National Institutes of Health. The research, however, is not receiving additional support from President Bush, who has vowed to veto stem cell bills over ethical controversies