Nancy Reagan makes a rare speech urging more stem cell research [View All]

[DaveSZ]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nancy9may09,1,4093110.story?coll=la-home-local

Stem Cell Funding Is Put in Spotlight
Nancy Reagan makes a rare speech urging more research, which is limited by U.S. policy.



By Stephanie Chavez, Times Staff Writer


In rare remarks aimed at influencing national public policy, former First Lady Nancy Reagan told a star-studded crowd Saturday night that stem cell research must be pursued "to save families from the pain" of debilitating illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, which afflicts her husband, former President Reagan.

"I am determined to do whatever I can," she said after receiving a standing ovation at a gala fundraiser in her honor at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

She told the crowd, which included Michael J. Fox, Harrison Ford and James Taylor, that Alzheimer's had taken her husband "to a distant place where I can no longer reach him." She added that stem cell research held hope for a cure.

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In the past, she has discreetly made known her views in support of stem cell research. But Saturday's event marked the first time that she had spoken publicly in favor of the research, for which President Bush limited federal funding in 2001, following a politically charged debate.

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