Kyl Votes To Preserve Stem Cell Research Policy

Consistent with his long-held position favoring a broad strategy to advance responsible medical technologies & research, U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) today voted to preserve the current policy governing the public funding of embryonic stem cell research.

"Prior to the enactment of this policy in 2001, no federal funding had been devoted to embryonic stem cell research," said Kyl. "In the 5 years subsequent to its enactment, more than $90 million has been provided for embryonic stem cell research."

Kyl voted to maintain the policy that allows for federal funding from the National Institutes for Health for experiments using stem cells already extracted from embryos, & bars taxpayer money from being used as an incentive for the destruction of human embryos.

Kyl also emphasized that federal law imposes no prohibitions on what private companies & state governments may undertake & noted one recent estimate offered by a supporter of federal embryonic stem cell research, who found that “there is nearly $4 billion in private & state monies committed to stem cell research over the next decade, with another 3-quarters of a billion dollars under active consideration.”

"I believe the best way forward with respect to taxpayer funds, is to adequately support responsible stem cell research without having to destroy human embryos," said Kyl.

Kyl also voted in favor of separate legislation, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act, which prohibits the solicitation or acceptance of tissue from human fetuses gestated & aborted solely for research purposes.