To the Editor:
The John Paul II Medical Research Institute (JP2MRI) in Iowa City is requesting your assistance in supporting a Regenerative Medicine Tax Credit of $1 million annually to help support adult stem cell research in Iowa. This tax credit would apply to private, non-profit organizations such as the JP2MRI in an effort to help the Institute raise private funding to support its mission of finding cures for Iowans by using ethically obtained, non-controversial adult stem cells.
The JP2MRI is developing a program to support medical research in regenerative medicine for patients with chronic diseases that are either refractory to conventional medical therapy or do not have a medical treatment option. The Institute is also focusing on finding cures and offering personalized medicine and treatment for patients with rare diseases and cancer. The Institute has the endorsement from all Catholic bishops, the Iowa and Illinois Knights of Columbus and the Iowa Catholic Conference. The tax credit has received support from the Iowa Biotechnology Association and the Association of Iowa Business and Industry.
The Regenerative Medicine Tax Credit was introduced to the Iowa legislature last year and had uniform support in the Iowa House, Senate and the Governor’s office. Thanks to efforts of Senator Joe Seng of Davenport, the bill made its way through the Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee but did not survive for vote in the Full Ways and Means Committee. We are asking Iowans to contact Senator Joe Bolkcom with personal stories of illness that could benefit from the efforts of the Institute and urge him to support the Regenerative Medicine Tax Credit for this legislative session. Please contact JP2MRI should you have questions or be interested in helping the Institute with your financial support. Thank you for your assistance.
Jay Kamath, JD
CEO, John Paul II Medical Research Institute
Iowa City
