Wednesday July 17, 11:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
NIH Doubling Campaign Nears Finish Line; FASEB Praises Senate Labor/HHS Subcommittee for Approving Final Installment
BETHESDA, Md., July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The historic five-year goal to double funding for the National Institutes of Health by 2003 is within reach today as the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee approved $27.3 billion for NIH in its Fiscal Year 2003 bill. This amount represents the fifth and final installment in the doubling effort.
"Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-PA) have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to accelerate progress in biomedical research to improve human health. FASEB's members are very grateful to them, and the other members of the Subcommittee, for their extraordinary leadership as we move one major step closer to completing the NIH doubling," commented FASEB President Steven L. Teitelbaum.
"Opportunities for biomedical discoveries have never been greater. The mapping of the human genome has brought us to the threshold of a new era in medicine. With a vast, new wealth of genetic data at our disposal, we have an extraordinary opportunity to identify genes and proteins involved in human disease -- and to speed the translation of this knowledge into diagnosis, treatments, and potential cures," Teitelbaum continued.
The Subcommittee's action today will provide essential funding to enable our nation's best researchers to keep pace with scientific opportunities. The funding will also provide critical resources to enhance our ability to respond appropriately to bioterrorism threats. While much has been achieved, much more progress is necessary to reduce human disease and disability. FASEB looks forward to working with the Subcommittee to sustain the momentum of discovery in the years ahead.
"Once again, we want to thank Senators Harkin and Specter for their invaluable leadership. We understand the difficult choices necessary to complete funding for the NIH doubling effort and look forward to demonstrating the wisdom of this sacrifice through our research in the days ahead," concluded Teitelbaum.
FASEB is comprised of 21 societies with more than 60,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB's mission is to enhance the ability of biomedical and life scientists to improve -- through their research -- the health, well-being and productivity of all people. FASEB serves the interests of these scientists in those areas related to public policy, facilitates coalition activities among Member Societies and disseminates information on biological research through scientific conferences and publications.
SOURCE: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology |
