Obama signs Reeve Bill for Paralysis research
A new law named after Superman actor Christopher Reeve will co-ordinate research on paralysis and rehabilitation.
US president Barack Obama signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, one of several pieces of legislation along with a measure designed to expand wilderness protection.
The Reeve measure is intended to improve co-ordination of research and treatment for paralysed people and others with disabilities.
Reeve became an advocate for embryonic stem-cell research after he was paralysed in a 1995 riding accident. He died in 2004 of heart failure at 52.
Mr Obama said the new law “will connect the best minds and best practices from the best labs in the country and focus their endeavours through collaborative scientific research into the cure for paralysis, saving effort, money and, most importantly, time”.
The law designates the National Institutes of Health to co-ordinate research and work with other agencies and private groups to enhance paralysis research, rehabilitation and treatment programs.
“Today is a day of progress for the millions of Americans who are living with paralysis and multiple sclerosis,” said Democratic senator Tom Harkin, a co-sponsor of the bill.
The new law will help scientists “find ways to improve the lives of so many living with disabilities, bringing hope to those in need”, Mr Harkin said.
Dana Reeve died of lung cancer in 2006. Christopher Reeve’s son Matthew attended the signing of the bill.
