B’nai B’rith International applauds the National Institutes of Health (NIH) decision to make 13 additional embryonic stem cell lines available for research funded by federal dollars. This will enable researchers to step up efforts to find treatments and cures for such diseases as diabetes and Parkinson’s, and holds the promise of helping those with severe nerve damage regain the use of paralyzed limbs.
Many aging Americans have a genuine respect for, and deep fear of, many degenerative diseases. An unfortunate side effect of many diseases is a high cost: medications and therapy put an enormous strain on our health care system. Taming or even curing some diseases could potentially make healthy aging the norm, and could lower the long-term burden on our heath care delivery system. The promise of stem cell research is, to a degree, limitless.
“Vital research cannot take place without federal funding,” B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick said. “Stem cell research is so specialized, and so expensive, that federal funding is imperative to moving forward. We commend NIH for opening up additional lines of stem cells for researchers who rely on federal funds.”
Embryonic stem cells can develop into all sorts of cells or tissues. A more open door policy will enable researchers to access more research material.
B’nai B’rith has long been a supporter of stem cell research. As a leading proponent, B’nai B’rith endeavors to teach the public about the promise of stem cell research. On Capitol Hill, B’nai B’rith has worked to reverse limits that had been placed on the use of federal funding on some stem cell lines. The long-awaited NIH announcement opens the field for original and ongoing research projects.
“We hope dedicated scientists can make quick use of these new stem cell lines,” Mark D. Olshan, B’nai B’rith associate executive vice president, said. “The potential and promise of stem cell research to help so many people with a wide variety of diseases and conditions is astounding. We look forward to dazzling advances in the field.”