1998
Publication of the first human embryonic stem cell (hESC) isolated.
2001
First bill to ban regenerative medical research is filed – somatic cell nuclear transfer is banned. Bill is passed by the Senate but dies in the House. Bill created a first degree felony offense for engaging in cloning (therapeutic and reproductive) and a civil penalty of $5 million to $10 million.
2003
A number of concerned citizens travel to Austin to testify against a bill to ban hESC research. The bill criminalized research with hESCs, and made persons who left the state for hESC treatment, including their doctor and others who accompanied the patient, subject to a fine of up to $1 million and 10 years in prison. With the help of a small, bi-partisan group of legislators the bill is stopped and amendment efforts are prevented too.
2004
Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR), Advocates for Life, is formed. Volunteer advocates travel the state, meeting with legislators, scientists and institutions, giving countless presentations to groups and meeting with editorial boards.
2005-2006
Educational forum on stem cell research conducted in January for legislators and their aides. The panels include Texas scientists and scientists from other states, ethicists, legal experts, economists, and advocacy leaders from around the country.
Twelve pro-research and three anti-research bills are filed. All bills are held in committee.
Prevented bans on tuition revenue bond (TRB) funding for hESC research projects and institutions that conduct them. Had these bans been enacted, facilities funded with tuition revenue bonds would be prohibited from ever conducting hESC research.
Three Special Legislative Sessions are called between July 2005 and July 2006.
Prevented bans on TRB funding for hESC research
In the 3rd of these sessions, a project that would have funded both adult and hESC research was withdrawn from the package of projects to be funded through TRBs, instead funding the project by the university system with other state dollars. No prohibitions passed on hESC projects.
501-c3 created – The Alliance for Medical Research (TAMR-Ed), “Education for Life”
TAMR-Ed produces award winning 15-minute DVD entitled Regenerative Medicine: Pathways to Cures and delivers to legislators in Austin and Washington.
Economic impact study is commissioned and widely distributed to legislators.
Legislator and community group education continues throughout the interim period.
2007
Educational seminar conducted for legislative staffers and freshmen legislators.
Thirteen pro-research bills filed, bi-partisan legislation that ranges from protecting research to setting up guidelines and oversight for all types of stem cell research. All bills left pending in committee.
One bill filed to prohibit state funding for hESC research, is voted out of House State Affairs but not debated on the House Floor. Senate does not consider the bill.
All attempts to attach riders to state’s budget banning funding for hESC research are stopped.
All bans to funding for hESC research projects within the newly created $3 billion Cancer Prevention and Research Institute are prevented.
2009
President Obama signs executive order expanding the pool of hESCs that can be utilized for federally funded research.
Educational seminar conducted for legislative staffers and freshmen legislators.
Chairman of Senate Finance, in a quick vote without a public hearing, testimony or discussion, attaches a rider to the state’s Budget Bill to restrict public and private academic institutions from receiving state funds if hESC research is conducted within their facilities.
Same senate leader files bill to ban state funding for hESC research and prohibits state facilities from conducting hESC research.
Open letter from scientific community distributed to all legislators.
Preeminent scientists from around the country contact legislative leaders to discuss the potential impact of proposed budget rider and legislation.
Economic Impact Study updated and distributed to all legislators.
Letters to the editor submitted to newspapers across state, press conference conducted.
Volunteers meet with legislators and legislative staffers to educate about impact of proposed legislation and rider, and monitor all meetings of Senate Finance Committee .
Under pressure from budget conferees, Senator pulls rider from budget bill.
Same senate leader chooses not to pursue bill to ban facilities use and state funding for hESC research, instead filing a new bill requiring public institutions that conduct, fund or support biomedical research to submit a report annually on whether they conducted, funded or supported research involving human stem cells or human cloning. Bill does not pass.
Legislation is passed that includes an amendment requiring an interim study on the feasibility of collecting data and maintaining a searchable electronic database or search engine relating to technology research projects conducted at public universities and other facilities operated by a state agency, to facilitate coordination among universities and facilities. Includes biomedical research projects, including those that involve stem cells or human cloning.
All bans to funding for hESC research projects within the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute are prevented.
