Bill A-2840 was passed this evening by the State Assembly, 41-31.

[Guest guest]

Bill A-2840 was passed this evening by the New Jersey State

Assembly, 41-31. It now goes to Governor McGreevey's

desk for his signature. Attached is the press release

sent out by NJ Right to Hope.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS WHO MADE

THIS BILL POSSIBLE!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 15, 2003

A VOTE FOR HOPE HAS BECOME A REALITY!

Supporters of embryonic stem cell research were

jubilant today as the Assembly approved bill A-2840,

which legalizes such research in the state. The bill

passed 41-31 (with 7 abstentions) and makes New Jersey

the second state in the nation to allow such research.

“This is a victory for compassion and for hope,†said

NJ Right to Hope spokesperson Tony Soares, a Hoboken

City Councilman who was born with achondroplasia, a

form of dwarfism. “I’d like to thank Senator

Codey and Assemblyman Neil Cohen for their political

courage and firm desire to do the right thing on stem

cell research.â€

Stem cells are created shortly after a human sperm

enters the egg and give rise to the entire human body.

Scientists hope to someday direct stem cells to grow

into replacement organs and tissues to treat a wide

range of diseases like sickle cell anemia, diabetes,

cancer and spinal cord paralysis.

Bill A-2840 is about compassionate, ethical medical

research. It provides a ray of hope to tens of

thousands of suffering New Jerseyans who otherwise

have no hope. This bill outlaws reproductive cloning

and relies on embryos that are presently sitting in

fertility clinics and laboratories across New Jersey.

If they are not used for necessary medical research,

they get washed down the drain.

New Jersey Right to Hope is a nonpartisan, grassroots

organization created earlier this year to garner

public support for embryonic stem cell research in New

Jersey. It can be reached on the Internet at

http://www.njrighttohope.org.

Governor E. McGreevey announced in his 2003

State of the State address that he will sign A-2840

once it reaches his desk.

“I hope the Governor will give us an early Christmas

present to sign the bill into law,†said Soares.

“While medical researchers have a long way to go

towards using stem cells to find cures for many

afflictions, this is a very, very promising start.â€

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Pass A-2840 NOW!

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NJ RIGHT TO HOPE COMMITTEE

100 Warren Street, Suite 715

Jersey City, NJ 07302info@...://www.njrighttohope.org