Current
Stem Cell Research
Stem cells are believed to have the ability to divide without limit
and to give rise to specialized cells. Reports published in 1998
by scientists at the University of Wisconsin and Johns Hopkins University
on the successful isolation and culture of pluripotent stem cells
(capable of specializing into many but not necessarily all tissues
of an organism human) have created the prospect of developing an
entire array of new cellular therapies. Stem cell research holds
the promise of helping us better understand the most fundamental
processes of cellular specialization and human development.
On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order
lifting restrictions on the federal funding of human embryonic stem
cell research. The Order directs the National Institutes of Health
to issue guidelines to permit such funding within 120 days (July
7, 2009). President Obama's action is the first significant change
in federal stem cell policy since August 9, 2001, when President
George W. Bush announced a policy that federal funds could only
be used to support research using human embryonic stem cells lines
that were derived before that date. The NIH Human Embryonic Stem
Cell Registry currently lists 21 human embryonic stem cell lines
that meet the eligibility criteria set by President Bush. Legislative
efforts to lift the policy restrictions passed Congress several
times, but were blocked by the Bush Administration. The AAMC strongly
supports the Obama Executive Order and supported earlier legislative
efforts to expanded federal support for stem cell research. More >>
|
 |
Also on Government Affairs
Related Resources
AAMC Documents
|
