S.471 and its companion bill H.R. 810 would expand the funding scope of the National Institutes of Health to include support for stem-cell research involving embryos no longer intended for use in fertility treatments. Last year the AAN approved a position statement that makes the case for passage of ethically responsible pro-research legislation. The position statement was published in the May 24, 2005 issue of Neurology.
"We believe this bill would significantly advance embryonic stem-cell research while ensuring the strongest ethical safeguards possible," said Thomas R. Swift, MD, president of the AAN. "It is time to pass this important legislation. It will give American researchers a much better chance to better understand and hopefully treat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Lou Gehrig's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease."
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of nearly 19,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.
For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, its advocacy efforts, and position statements, visit www.aan.com/advocacy.
Journal
Neurology