Recent Press Releases

Washington, DC —  Senator John Thune (R-SD) today issued the following statement after Senate consideration of three bills related to stem cell research: S. 2754, a bill to aid research into techniques of deriving pluripotent stem cells without harming or destroying human embryos; S. 3504, a bill to prohibit the solicitation or acceptance of tissue from human fetuses gestated and aborted solely for research purposes; and H.R. 810, which would use Federal taxpayer dollars to support and encourage research that involves the destruction of human embryos. Senator Thune voted in favor of S. 2754 and S. 3504, and against H.R. 810.

"Stem cell research holds significant promise, and that's why I support expanding and exploring adult and cord blood stem cell research. However, research on human embryonic stem cells presents significant ethical dilemmas, in part because extracting the stem cells destroys the embryo, and thus destroys its potential for human life. I strongly believe this research must be conducted in a careful and ethical way that respects human life," said Thune. "Last year I voted for S.1317, the Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Therapy and Research Act of 2005, which was signed into law on December 20, 2005, and authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to enter into contracts with qualified cord blood banks to create and maintain a national inventory of 150,000 new high quality cord blood units suitable for transplantation."

S. 2754 passed by a vote of 100 to 0.

S. 3504 passed by a vote of 100 to 0.

H.R. 810 passed by a vote of 63 to 37.