Assembly Speaker Silver announced the introduction
of legislation aimed at helping New York realize
the great potential of stem cell research. "As
medical science advances toward a cure for some
of the most debilitating diseases facing our communities,
it is becoming increasingly clear that the solution
may be found in therapeutic cloning and stem cell
research," said Silver, who has been a staunch
supporter of the potential of this promising new
medical technology and has sponsored legislation
to ensure its appropriate use since 2003. |
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Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today introduced legislation
aimed at keeping New York State at the forefront of biotechnology
advances and medical care by creating the New York State
Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine.
The not-for-profit entity will foster and support vital explorations
in the treatment of chronic degenerative diseases.
Standing with Silver at a Capitol news conference in support
of the legislation were Assembly Health Committee Chair
Richard Gottfried, Insurance Committee Chair Pete Grannis,
Assembly Legislative Commission on Science and Technology
Chair Adele Cohen and Amy Paulin, who chairs the Assembly
Task Force on People with Disabilities.
New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who also supports
the legislation, was represented by Deputy Comptroller
Kenneth Bleiwas who highlighted a report released earlier
today on the economic impact of biotechnology. The Comptroller’s
report highlighted the importance of the state’s
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, which employed
more than 54,000 New Yorkers and generated more than $18
billion in economic activity in New York in 2003.
Also participating were representatives from the New Yorkers
for the Advancement of Medical Research (NYAMR), a coalition
of public-interest groups representing the tens of thousands
of New Yorkers who suffer from diseases whose potential
treatment and cure could come from stem cell research.
According to Silver, the New York State Institute for
Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine would provide
financial and other support for stem cell research and
other initiatives related to regenerative medicine. The
landmark bill will promote the development of life-saving
and life-enhancing regenerative medical treatments, therapies
and cures.
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Fifteen-year-old Michelle DeVito spoke eloquently
at a news conference called by Assembly Speaker
Silver announcing the introduction of legislation
aimed at encouraging life-saving medical advances
in biotechnology. "I am one of the millions of
American children and adults that suffer from Juvenile
Diabetes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and every
minute of my life. Stem cell research will not
only hopefully yield a cure for juvenile diabetes
but will also put an end to what is a life-changing
disease," said DeVito. |
The not-for-profit agency established by Silver’s legislation
would also:
- make grants and loans to further stem cell research and regenerative
medicine and to support facilities involved in this work;
- support development of regenerative therapies, from research
to clinical trials;
- establish necessary and appropriate regulatory and oversight
processes, procedures and structures for research and facilities
development; and
- prioritize the use of funds for scientific work that has
the greatest potential for producing therapies and cures
specifically utilizing stem cell research.
Funding would come from a new Health Care Reform Act (HCRA),
which is expected to begin July 1, 2005. For this year, $100
million would be allocated and this would grow to $200 million
in the second year of the two-year HCRA cycle.
"As medical science advances toward a cure for some of the most
debilitating diseases facing our communities, it is becoming
increasingly clear that the solution may be found in therapeutic
cloning and stem cell research," said Silver, who has been a
staunch supporter of the potential of this promising new medical
technology and has sponsored legislation to ensure its appropriate
use since 2003.
"When I first introduced legislation in 2003, I was honored
to stand with Christopher Reeve who dedicated his life to advancing
stem cell research," said Silver. "With his death last year,
the world lost a truly inspiring crusader who fought not only
on his own behalf but for the countless millions who suffer debilitating,
life-threatening diseases that may be addressed through this
type of critical research. We must seek to further the potential
of these lifesaving efforts by tapping into the world-class scientific
resources in which New York has already made investments such
as the biotech research corridors around the Roswell Park Cancer
Center in Buffalo, SUNY Stony Brook on Long Island, and in the
Lower Manhattan Bioscience Corridor."
Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried noted
the federal government’s failure to fund stem cell
research for political and ideological reasons that have
nothing to do with science, has forced states to step
in. |
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"Ordinarily, Americans rely on the federal government to fund biomedical
research. But Washington is failing to fund stem cell research for political
and ideological reasons that have nothing to do with science. The states
have to step in, and New York should be in the lead," said Gottfried (D-Manhattan).
"New York State is world-renowned for the excellence of its
academic medical institutions," said Grannis (D-Manhattan). "This
bill will put New York at the forefront of exciting new research
to develop cures for diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer and
other diseases."
"Stem cell research, now in its infancy, gives us hope that
doctors can replace diseased or dysfunctional cells with healthy
functioning ones. That means preventing, alleviating, even curing
a host of serious illnesses and injuries so costly in terms of
both human suffering and of money. New York, with all its intellectual
resources, should be a leader in this vital research. For all
these reasons, I am glad to support Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver," said Paulin (D-Scarsdale).
"We need to draw upon the strengths of New York State’s
research institutions to help advance medical science. This legislation
recognizes New York as a leading center for biotechnology with
great accomplishments in cutting edge research and with great
promise for further scientific achievement as well as economic
growth. This initiative will take the next steps," said Cohen
(D-Brooklyn).
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New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who also supports
the legislation, was represented by Deputy Comptroller
Kenneth Bleiwas, who highlighted a report released on
the economic impact of biotechnology. |
The Hevesi report notes that by supporting and encouraging growth
in these industries, New York State could gain 7,000 jobs in these
areas over the next seven years. An estimated 5,000 of these jobs
would be in manufacturing and could buoy the economies of Albany,
Buffalo and Rochester, where biotech already has a presence and
manufacturing employment has been in decline for years.
"Biotechnology is already an important element of New York State’s
economy, and it is clearly in our economic interest to continue
to nurture and support biotech and related industries," Hevesi
said. "If we don’t provide the level of support available
in other states, research and development and all the jobs and
opportunities that accompany it, will happen elsewhere."
The legislators, who noted the Assembly had over the past two
years overwhelmingly passed legislation supporting stem cell
research and therapeutic cloning, again called for a ban on human
cloning. The bill being advanced by Silver would, as in the past,
prohibit the use of reproductive cloning, while allowing critical
scientific activities concerning both therapeutic cloning and
stem cell research, as well as the related applications of such
research, and in-vitro fertilization. Violations of the reproductive
cloning prohibition would include prosecution as a Class D felony
and civil penalties of up to $1 million.
"Reproductive cloning holds many ethical and moral taboos. It
is a practice we want to ensure does not take place in New York
State," said Silver. "However, stem cell research is a valuable
tool for scientists in the quest to solve the mysteries of some
of our most terrible illnesses. Stem cell research holds promise
for the legions of people who are stricken with conditions ranging
from spinal cord injuries to infertility."
The institute created under the bill would be governed by a
board of 19 members, to be appointed by the Speaker, the governor,
the temporary president of the Senate, the attorney general and
the comptroller.
Dr. Maria Mitchell, president of AMDeC, a statewide consortium
of institutions concerned with advancing medical science,
called the Silver bill "an essential step to maintain
and expand a competitive biomedical research enterprise
in New York. Even before California’s initiative,
Speaker Silver had introduced legislation promoting stem
cell research in New York State. He knows that effective
partnerships between New York’s world-class academic
medical institutions, biotech companies and government
are critical to building the new structures that will
advance our state’s biomedical research enterprise." |
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Organizations in support of the bill include New Yorkers for the
Advancement of Medical Research (NYAMR), which consists of: Academic
Medicine Development Company (AMDeC), a biotechnology advocacy
organization; American Diabetes Association; Biotechnology Association
of New York; Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation; Columbia University
Medical Center; Community Health Charities of New York; Hadassah,
the Women’s Zionist Organization of America; Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation; Lupus Foundation; Parkinson’s Action
Network; Parkinson’s Alliance; Parkinson’s Disease
Foundation; Project ALS; and the Tourette’s Syndrome Association.
"The legislation introduced today by Assembly Speaker Silver
is an essential step to maintain and expand a competitive biomedical
research enterprise in New York," said Dr. Maria Mitchell, president
of AMDeC, a statewide consortium of institutions concerned with
advancing medical science. "Speaker Silver’s great leadership
is vital to New York on this issue, especially as other states
are moving aggressively to pursue the promising opportunities
created by stem cell research. Even before California’s
initiative, Speaker Silver had introduced legislation promoting
stem cell research in New York State. He knows that effective
partnerships between New York’s world-class academic medical
institutions, biotech companies and government are critical to
building the new structures that will advance our state’s
biomedical research enterprise.
"We also applaud Comptroller Hevesi’s initiative in documenting
the importance of biomedical research and biotech companies to
New York’s economic vitality," said Dr. Mitchell.
"I am one of the millions of American children and adults that
suffer from Juvenile Diabetes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
and every minute of my life. Stem cell research will not only
hopefully yield a cure for juvenile diabetes but will also put
an end to what is a life changing disease. With a cure the thousands
of Americans who have juvenile diabetes will finally be able
to say that they once "had" juvenile diabetes and no longer have
to deal with everyday events that go along with the disease.
Support and funding for stem cell research will not only help
millions of people with juvenile diabetes, but countless others
who suffer from illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis,
Parkinson’s, and spinal chord injuries. This research has
the power to change the lives of thousands of Americans and in
doing so also change mine," said Michelle DeVito, a 15-year old
from Guilderland who lives with juvenile diabetes.
"I would like to again thank Speaker Silver and the other members
of the Assembly for acting on this important legislation. I hope
that the Senate will pass this through the Senate Health Committee
and Majority Leader Bruno will bring it to the Senate floor," said
Mike Discipio, who was made a quadriplegic in a swimming accident
and lives in the town of Colonie. Discipio came to the Capitol
to support the speaker’s legislation, which, he said, "could
lead to historic breakthroughs in treatments and, ultimately,
cures."
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June Walker, national president of Hadassah, the Women’s
Zionist Organization of America, spoke in support of Silver’s
bill that would create the New York State Institute for
Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine. "We applaud
Speaker Silver for his bold leadership in proposing that
New York State build an institute devoted entirely to stem
cell research and regenerative medicine. We strongly urge
the New York State Assembly and Senate to quickly pass
this legislation for the benefit of all New Yorkers," said
Walker. |
"As world leaders in stem cell research at the Hadassah Medical Organization
in Jerusalem, Israel, and as patient advocates in the U.S., Hadassah is
eager for the realization of the promise of stem cell research. New York
State is known for having some of the best medical centers, hospitals and
research institutes. New York should not be left behind, while institutions
in other states attract the top doctors and researchers in the new century.
We applaud Speaker Silver for his bold leadership in proposing that New
York State build an institute devoted entirely to stem cell research and
regenerative medicine. We strongly urge the New York State Assembly and
Senate to quickly pass this legislation for the benefit of all New Yorkers," said
June Walker, national president, Hadassah.
"New York’s world-class medical research institutions
are encouraged by the leadership of Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver and Comptroller Alan Hevesi," said Antonio M. Gotto, Jr.,
M.D., Dean and Provost for Medical Affairs of the Joan & Sanford
I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Gotto, who
also serves as Vice Chair of AMDeC’s Board of Directors,
added, "The Speaker’s proposal to advance stem cell research
within New York State is vital to our remaining competitive with
other states, as well as essential to the more important cause:
solving challenging questions of disease and public health, for
which research involving stem cells is most promising."
"Stem cell research offers a medical revolution as powerful
as the previous revolutions of vaccination and antibiotics. Moreover,
stem cell-based therapies will demonstrate their value just as
rapidly as did these prior discoveries. This is because, just
like vaccination, stem cell therapies are based on enabling the
cells of our body to perform the task that is their normal job,
the creation and repair of our bodies’ parts. New York
State currently has an exceptionally rich base of stem cell scientists.
It would be a tragedy if New York were the only state with such
an outstanding scientific base not to be actively promoting this
next medical revolution. The luring of New York State stem cell
biologists to other states already has begun. With this effort,
we will not only stop this loss, but reverse it, and bring still
more of these individuals to New York State’s outstanding
scientific institutions," said Dr. Mark D. Noble, Ph.D., Professor
of Biomedical Genetics at the Department of Biomedical Genetics,
University of Rochester Medical Center.
"I would like to again thank Speaker Silver and the other members of the
Assembly for acting on this important legislation. I hope that the Senate
will pass this through the Senate Health Committee and Majority Leader
Bruno will bring it to the Senate floor," said Mike Discipio, who was made
a quadriplegic in a swimming accident and lives in the town of Colonie.
Discipio came to the Capitol to support the Speaker’s legislation,
which, he said, "could lead to historic breakthroughs in treatments and,
ultimately, cures." |
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"Once again, Speaker Sheldon Silver has demonstrated outstanding leadership
in his commitment to opening the doors of science and the work of scientists
to hasten the end of diseases that are suffered by millions of New Yorkers.
We salute him and in this legislative session, we look forward to a genuinely
bipartisan, bicameral initiative in support of stem cell research and other
life-enhancing therapies - by any measure, one of the most important issues
of our time," said Robin Anthony Elliott, executive director, Parkinson’s
Disease Foundation
"The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation applauds New York
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for his leadership in initiating
landmark legislation authorizing embryonic stem cell research
in New York. Speaker Silver has kept hope alive for thousands
of New York families and millions of other Americans suffering
from chronic or debilitating illnesses. His bill will ensure
that New York becomes a leader in this critical area of research," said
Herb Gordon of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"Over one million people in New York have diabetes, many suffering
from its effects - heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness
and lower limb amputations. It is also a leading cause of death.
Stem cell research is an exciting area in modern medicine which
holds great hope in our search for a cure," stated Stephen Habbe,
Advocacy Director for the American Diabetes Association. |
