Petition By Members of the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Web Forum and Other Concerned Citizens In Support of Broad Public Funding for Fetal and Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Petition By Members of the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Web Forum and Other Concerned Citizens In Support of Broad Public Funding for Fetal and Embryonic Stem Cell Research


Dear Mr. President,

We the undersigned are writing to urge you to support broad public funding of fetal and embryonic pluripotent stem cell research. We applaud your recent decision to study further the scientific and ethical implications of this research. We thank you for your understanding of the importance and complexity of this issue.

We are registered members of the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Web Forum (MGH), as well as other concerned citizens. The MGH forum functions as an online support mechanism for those who suffer, or have loved ones who suffer, from a variety of neurological and related illnesses and conditions. Among us are men, women, and children who have such maladies as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal cord injuries, Cerebral Palsy, and over 150 other disabling and often fatal conditions.

What we have in common is the hope that our illnesses may soon be cured through the profound discoveries now being made by
scientists who depend on public as well as private funds to continue their research. Recent reports such as that of Dr. Curt Freed of the University of Colorado about the remarkable recovery of motor function by Parkinson's patients in clinical trials applying the results of stem cell research give us hope that a wide range of previously incurable diseases may soon disappear in the biggest revolution in medical history.

As you know, undifferentiated pluripotent master cells found in fetal tissue and embryos have the ability to divide indefinitely and in later stages of development specialize into cells that make up most tissues of an organism. By guiding the growth of these cells it appears likely that scientists will soon be able to culture new organs to replace ailing hearts, or neurons for the treatment of brain disease or injury. A recent poll indicates 2 out of 3 Americans support pluripotent stem cell research.

Concerns over the well-being of embryos are misplaced. Scientists at John Hopkins University report that the number of embryonic cell lines currently in cultivation is sufficient to supply research needs--so that not a single embryo needs be destroyed in future.

Curing a vast array of chronic diseases using variants of a single method of treatment centered around the use of stem cells was a mere dream a few years ago. It has now, as Dr. Freed reported, moved from a theoretical possibility to a proven reality. The lessening of human suffering that is possible through continuing this research is incalculable. The savings in health-related costs to both the public and private sectors will be staggering.

A decision by you to continue public sector participation in this research will help transform historic scientific breakthroughs into practical medical therapies. What was once unimaginable, eliminating scores of chronic illnesses with a single weapon, can come about witihin a few years. You have the power to help make this happen within the lifetimes of most of the people whose names appear below.

This country, with its wealth, spirit of ingenuity and enterprise, and history of so often acheiving what was believed to be unachievable, can once again lead the world in the coming health care revolution. Mr. President, you can help to save the lives and restore the futures of millions of citizens who are desparately ill; you can help to spare their children from chronic illness or an early death. We urge you to take this opportunity.

We thank you for your consideration of these words, and we ask you to look not only at the number of people who have signed this letter, but to read their names, conditions, and dates of diagnosis. We also urge you to read the attached comments written by some of the people whose signatures appear below. They make remarkable and moving reading.

A list of the specific disease sites included on the MGH Web Forum can be found at www.braintalk.org. Most of these diseases and conditions can be ameliorated or cured by the application of stem cell therapies.

Once again, thank you Mr. President for considering this letter, which we present to you with our highest hopes.