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NMDP Budget Stalled
March 2004
Reauthorization of the budget for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), an event that happens once every five years, is stalled for the first time. The Bill H.R. 3034 has passed the House but not the Senate. Cancer patients and medical societies are launching campaigns urging reauthorization.
One sentence in the bill broadens "bone marrow" to include "any other source of hematopoietic progenitor cells." Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) has issued a "Values Action Report" alleging that the NMDP intends to take over all sources of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells. As a result, the NMDP reauthorization is now being opposed by groups who oppose the use of embryonic stem cells.
By an odd coincidence, Brownback is the same Senator who sponsored the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 in collaboration with the NY Blood Center. The NMDP and NYBC are rivals for control of a National Cord Blood Program.
One sentence in the bill broadens "bone marrow" to include "any other source of hematopoietic progenitor cells." Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) has issued a "Values Action Report" alleging that the NMDP intends to take over all sources of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells. As a result, the NMDP reauthorization is now being opposed by groups who oppose the use of embryonic stem cells.
By an odd coincidence, Brownback is the same Senator who sponsored the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 in collaboration with the NY Blood Center. The NMDP and NYBC are rivals for control of a National Cord Blood Program.
Last modified: 20.April 2009
Copyright 2000 - 2009 Frances Verter
Copyright 2000 - 2009 Frances Verter