SENATORS ASK FOR STEM-CELL FUNDING.Byline: Lisa Friedman Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Backers of stem-cell research Noun 1. stem-cell research - research on stem cells and their use in medicine biological research - scientific research conducted by biologists embryonic stem-cell research - biological research on stem cells derived from embryos and on their use in medicine urged President Bush on Monday to honor former President Ronald Reagan by supporting studies that could help cure Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. . Despite entreaties from Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U.S. Senator from California, having held office as a senator since 1992. She is a member of the Democratic Party. , D-Calif., and 57 other lawmakers, Bush stood firm in his opposition to funding new embryonic stem-cell research Noun 1. embryonic stem-cell research - biological research on stem cells derived from embryos and on their use in medicine stem-cell research - research on stem cells and their use in medicine . ``The president remains committed to exploring the policy of stem-cell research, but continues to believe strongly that we should not cross that fundamental moral line of destruction of human embryos,'' White House spokesman Ken Lisaius said. The 58 U.S. senators sent the letter to the White House on Friday - the day before Reagan died - and released it to the public on Monday. A Feinstein spokesman said the timing was purely coincidental, and lawmakers had no idea that Reagan, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease for 10 years, was so close to death. Sen. Barbara Boxer Barbara Levy Boxer (born November 11, 1940) is an American politician and the current junior U.S. Senator from the State of California. A member of the Democratic Party, Boxer was first elected to the U.S. , D-Calif., also was among the senators co-signing the letter. Over the course of her husband's disease, Nancy Reagan emerged as an advocate for Alzheimer's issues and had pleaded with the Bush administration to support embryonic stem-cell research. In an impassioned plea earlier this year, she told the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. : ``Ronnie's long journey has finally taken him to a distant place where I can no longer reach him. ``Because of this, I am determined to do whatever I can to save other families from this pain. I just don't see how we can turn our backs on this.'' Lisa Friedman, (202) 662-8731 lisa.friedman(at)langnews.com |
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