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September 5, 2006

Langevin calls on states to promote stem cell research

CRANSTON -- Congressman James R. Langevin today called on Rhode Island and other states to do what they can to promote embryonic stem cell research.

Langevin joined two state representatives at the Hope Alzheimer’s Center today to announce plans for a task force to study what other states -- most notably California -- have done to fund and promote stem cell research. The task force will make recommendations to the state House of Representatives.

“As the federal government sits on the sideline, states like Rhode Island must step up to the plate and become involved in promoting and encouraging all types of stem cell research within their own states,” Langevin said.

The announcement came one week before Langevin faces Jennifer Lawless in a Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District race.

Lawless issued a news release today, saying, “In Congress, I’ll be every bit the fighter on stem cell research that Representative Langevin has been, and work much harder on behalf of Rhode Island families.”

Lawless said she would be an “unwavering” supporter of stem cell research, referring to Langevin’s votes in 2001 and 2003 to ban reproductive and therapeutic cloning of embryonic stem cells.

Langevin has said that in 2001 he didn’t fully understand therapeutic cloning and in 2003 he voted for an amendment that would have allowed it. When the amendment failed, he voted for a bill banning both reproductive and therapeutic cloning.

-- Journal Staff Writer Edward Fitzpatrick

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 3:51 PM | Permalink

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