U.S. Senator Arlen Specter visited with regenerative medicine scientists from the McGowan Institute as part of his recent press conference at the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative. Senator Specter announced his support for $1.5 million in federal funding and his continued support for the development of regenerative techniques for the Department of Defense (DOD) to safely and efficiently treat combat-sustained injuries.
During his tour, Senator Specter experienced firsthand from Drs. Alan Russell, W. P. Andrew Lee, and Thomas Gilbert, the scientific efforts and accomplishments of the many researchers supporting the DOD regenerative medicine technology objectives: to restore hands, fingers, faces, ears, noses, and breasts, and the long-range goals of regenerating arms, legs, and internal organs.
“It's enormously impressive," said the Senator. The research could help 23,000 injured American soldiers, many of whom suffered "candidly grotesque" injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It's a marvel," Mr. Specter said; "we are making our objective a congressional priority.
"I hope to bring more good news in the future," he said.
Illustration: Andy Starnes/Post-Gazette.
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Senator Arlen Specter News Room (10/09/07)
KDKA (10/09/07)
Pittsburgh Business Times (10/09/07)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (10/10/07)