Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I. showed a 50-person crowd of biology students and biotech firm representatives what it means to be a pro-life, pro-stem cell research Democrat during his keynote address to open the fourth annual Brown Biotech Expo yesterday in Sayles Hall. Langevin advocated for expanded government support of stem cell research and commented on the harm the Bush administration's stem cell policy has done the nation.
Langevin, who is wheelchair-bound, co-sponsored a bipartisan bill expanding government funding of embryonic stem cell research almost a year ago that has since been stalled in the Senate by figures like Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. But Langevin said he remains confident in Frist's promise to consider the issue in the Senate as well as the support of Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sen. Lincoln Chafee '75, R-R.I.
"My expectations are that a Senate stem cell bill will be brought up this year, soon," Langevin told The Herald in an interview after his speech. "(But) I am disappointed that it has not been addressed yet."
Langevin said he believes stem cell research is part of biotechnology's untapped potential to "change the world," but the only way to communicate that potential is through education.
"Trying to condense down to a five-minute snippet what I spent a year doing (is challenging) - support for (stem cell research) transcends political and socioeconomic lines," Langevin said.
He said he spent a year talking with biologists and ethicists about both embryonic and adult stem cell research. He stressed the importance of understanding the science of embryonic stem cells and the implications of research that draws on these precursors of life.
"In having the opportunity to speak with researchers in this field in many walks of life, it is clear that we will learn a great deal from both embryonic and adult stem cell research," he said.
Langevin said he has found most opposition to stem cell research results from ignorance.
"I have watched many of my colleagues (in the House) look into this topic," Langevin said. "The more a person spends time studying this issue, the more they come to understand and support it."
In August 2001, President George W. Bush issued an executive order limiting funding for stem cell research to stem cell lines that were already left over at fertility clinics at that time. Many scientists say this limits the possibility of future research since government grants are the major source of scientific funding in the United States. Also, there are a limited number of stem cell lines harvested prior to the 2001 order.
In response to the federal government's limitations, states such as California have started research programs to fund stem cell research. Langevin, however, said this is not an option in Rhode Island because of the state's size.
"Clearly where the federal government has failed, the states have started (to play a) role," Langevin said. "We are such a small state that we're not going to be able to offer a $3 billion bond issue."
Despite other states' efforts to fund research that is not supported by the federal government, Langevin said the limits placed on embryonic stem cell research have decreased the competitiveness of American research.
"The United Kingdom has recently become a world leader in embryonic stem cell research," Langevin said. "United States scientists can't join the race for cures."
Recent figures indicate that Rhode Islanders support Langevin's efforts. 67 percent of Rhode Island voters support national funding of embryonic stem cell research, according to a state-wide poll administered by the Taubman Center for Public Policy in June 2005.
