Contacting the Chief Sponsor

Representative Randy Forbes, the chief sponsor of H.R. 877: Patients First Act of 2009 was contacted by email to express our interest and support in the advancements in stem cell research. It is important for him to be a follower of our blog so that he can in turn refer other legislators and prospective key stakeholder to websites in which they will be educated on the issue. We are very confident and hopeful that our blog will persuade others to also become supporters.

NIH invited to visit blog

The National Institute of Health (NIH) was identified as a key stakeholder and an invitation was extended to view our blog. NIH's website provides basic information about stem cells, possible benefits of research, ethical issues, as well as U.S. policy updates. New legislature will allow NIH to fund and regulate research on embryonic stem cells.

Regenerative Medicine: Use of Pluripotent Stem Cells for Research of Diseases Processes

"Reprogramming of differentiated human cells was accomplished in 2007 and early 2008 [37–40]. This was soon followed by generation of iPS [induced pluripotent stem] cells from patients with various diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [41], adenosine deaminase deficiency related SCID, Parkinson’s disease and Down’s syndrome[42], and this is of considerable importance to begin to dissect the disease process in vitro." Complete Abstract

This article gives an overview of the history of regenerative medicine and how far we have come in regards to the research/use of embryonic stem stem cells to treat various conditions. Since 2007, induced pluripotent stem cells have been extracted from patients with a range of different diseases. It is suggested that the use of these cells, which have proved their ability to differentiate, could be groundbreaking in the treatment/cure of numerous diseases. The next step in allowing this to happen is the Patients First Act of 2009. This bill can be the change.

Andersson, E. R., & Lendahl, U. (2009). Regenerative medicine: A 2009 overview. Journal of Internal Medicine, 266(4), 303-310. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02157.x

Cell Humor

http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/geekandpoke/2008/06/page/2/

The Driving Force

Key stakeholders are the people that the project would fail without their continued support. Which poses the question who are the stakeholders for the Patient’s Act of 2009?

- Patients and their families that live everyday with illnesses that could find possible hope in treatment through Stem Cell Research.
- Researchers (Advanced Cell Technology, International Society for Stem Cell Research, University Researchers)
- Nurses and Health care providers
- The Department of Human and Health Services
- The National Institute of Health
- Advanced Science Serving Society (AAAS)
-United States Taxpayers

Legislators
- President Obama publicly supported the advancement of Stem Cell Research.
- House of Representative James Forbes and the rest of the bill's Co-Sponsors
- Senator Tom Harkin supports a similar bill, S.487, in the Senate.

Political Action Plan

With opposing ethical positions surrounding the passage of this bill, the media has posed strong biases. Therefore, it is essential that legislators and lawmakers are fully educated on the issue of stem cell research to make well-informed decisions that represent their constiuents. We are dedicated to increasing awareness and interest in the advancements in stem cell research. The first step in our political action plan will be to contact key stakeholders and legislators through letters, emails, and phone calls to encourage them to visit our blog. We will continue to follow and post new information about this bill's progress. As nursing students and future healthcare providers this bill has the potential to directly impact the care of our patients. For this reason we will encourage our peers to follow the bill and the information that we provide on this blog to form their own position on the issue.

Our Position on the Patients First Act of 2009

We stand in full support of this bill for many reasons. The first reason involves the advancement of scientific research for the sake of suffering individuals. As a country, we have fallen behind in research during the Bush administration’s ban on stem cell research. In his most recent speech, Obama said that we will “begin researching actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground.” We completely agree with his statement “opportunities are missed when governments fail to sponsor scientific research, which results in our best scientists to leave for countries that will sponsor their work.” In the long run this hurts our economy, puts us behind others in scientific advancements, and does not provide for the overall well being of the population as a whole.

Everyone could agree that it is an important responsibility for a country to continually seek out new ways to ease human suffering of its population. With the advancement of stem cell research, we may one day be able to cure or treat illnesses deemed incurable in the past. Individuals who thought they would never be able to walk again, see again, or function properly may be given new hope and a second chance. In Rep. James Forbes address to the House, he stated that there are 73 illnesses that have been treated successfully with adult embryonic stem cells during the last few years. Imagine the possibilities in advancement now that research is being federally supported.

Now, there are many opposing viewpoints to stem cell research. One side is labeled as “pro-life” supporters, who discourage the use of embryonic stem cells because of the fact that the cells being used are being derived from living embryos which they feel should be considered human beings with rights. As supporters of the bill, we are able to look at its implications with an open mind, understanding the concern of those who oppose it as well as respecting their point of view. But with advancement in research, we could totally eliminate this concern.

Obama has recognized the concerns and responded by saying “there will be strict guidelines that will be rigorously enforced.” His goal is to run this operation as smoothly as possible and leave no room for “misuse or abuse”. It is also important to consider the fact that new “groundbreaking” advances have been made that involve altering adult stem cells to mimic the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. This would allow us to ultimately do away with embryonic stem cell research and curb one of the ethical dilemmas involved with stem cell research. Although research on embryonic stem cells would be conducted, most of the research and advancements thus far have involved using the adult stem cells and manipulating their differentiating properties. Therefore, with the passing of H.R.877, time, proper funding, and continued advancements, we may never have to involve the use of human embryonic stem cells again. In closing, I would like to bring up the point that good research takes time. We could not figure out a way to say it better and feel that Obama said it best: “Medical miracles do not happen by accident, they come from years of painstaking research with many failed attempts along the way…. “ It could be months, years, or even decades before we are able to fully get a grasp on the benefits of stem cell research, but none of the discoveries would ever be possible if we were to turn down the thought of pursuing them. This is why we support H.R.877; to set the groundwork for stem cell research into the near and distant future.