Statement on President Obama's Executive Order Allowing for the Expanded Use of Federal Funds for Medical Research
Monday, March 9, 2009
By: Donn Rubin, Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures

Donn Rubin, chairman of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, issued the following statement today in response to President Obama's executive order allowing for expanded funding for stem cell research:

Scientists and patients across Missouri are excited about the possibility of broader federal support for lifesaving medical research. With the expanded federal commitment, they look forward to an acceleration in the search for cures to Parkinson’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other afflictions that affect millions of families.

In Missouri, state funds are not used to support stem cell research. However, thanks to the Missouri Stem Cell Amendment, passed by voters in 2006, our doctors and scientists are able to compete with those in other states for access to federal funds. This keeps our world-class hospitals, universities and other research centers on an even level with institutions elsewhere.

The Stem Cell Amendment also means, when treatments are available, Missouri families will have immediate access and won’t be forced to travel elsewhere to care for their loved ones when they are most vulnerable. In other words, Missouri patients may enjoy the same access to medical care that residents of other states do.

It’s unfortunate that just as the Obama Administration is expanding the search for cures, opponents of stem cell research have renewed their attempts to keep Missourians from benefiting from those potential therapies. Recent proposed amendments to our state constitution would limit patient access to future medical advances. The proposals also would prohibit the University of Missouri and other public institutions from competing for any of the federal funds made available by the president’s decision.

While the federal announcement is an important, positive step, patients, their families and others who care about the search for cures must remain alert to ongoing threats at the state level.

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The Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures stands with more than 65,000 members and more than 100 leading patient, medical and faith organizations in protecting medical advances in our state. We work to inform the public about the promise of medical research, and of the laws and policies that affect medical advances. Learn more about our efforts at MissouriCures.com.