Science

Liveblogging: Elias Zerhouni of NIH: a Senate Favorite

NIH Director Elias Zerhouni has been the go-to guy today for embryonic stem-cell supporters. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) quoted Zerhouni’s earlier statement that President Bush’s policy is interfering with the progress of science. "It’s very clear these cell lines will not be sufficient to do all the research we need to do," Zerhouni said in […]

Ted_kennedy
NIH Director Elias Zerhouni has been the go-to guy today for embryonic stem-cell supporters. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) quoted Zerhouni's earlier statement that President Bush's policy is interfering with the progress of science.

"It's very clear these cell lines will not be sufficient to do all the research we need to do," Zerhouni said in response to a question from Sen. Tom Harkin,
D-Iowa, chair of the appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the
Department of Health and Human Services.

"It is clear today that American science will be better served and the nation will be better served if we let our scientists have access to more cell lines,"
he added.

Kennedy also quoted soldiers who suffered spinal cord injuries in Iraq, as well as a young girl suffering from diabetes, urging Congress to support expanding Bush's restrictions.