In an effort to get researchers to think adult stem cells first, several people who were helped by the ethical research are speaking out.
Adult stem cells successfully treat more than 70 diseases and conditions. Dr. David Prentice with Family Research Council helped bring together many of those who are benefiting.
"It was just very exciting to see these patients get up there and talk about how their lives were changed and, frankly, saved by adult stem cell treatments."
The patients are under the care of Dr. Richard Burt of Northwestern University who has treated several hundred people with adult stem cell therapy. One is Jill Rosen who had been in and out of the hospital for eight years until an adult stem-cell transplant three years ago.
"My entire life changed. I became incredibly healthy. Within a year, I had not been hospitalized. My lupus is in remission and I am completely healthy."
Representatives Randy Forbes and Dan Lipinski have introduced a bill that would prioritize adult stem cell research. Dawn Vargo is with Focus on the Family Action.
"The Patients First Act really does recognize that adult stem cells are not only the best hope for patients but it also recognizes that adult stem cells are already treating patients."
Embryonic stem cell research gets the lion's share of the attention, despite the fact that its benefits are non-existent and require the destruction of human life.