CurrentStem 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 August 9, 2001, 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 22 human embryonic stem cell lines that meet
the eligibility criteria set by President Bush. Legislation to allow federal funding
for additional stem cell lines was vetoed by President Bush in 2006. In 2007,
Congress again passed legislation to allow federal funding for additional stem
cell lines. The AAMC strongly supported this legislation and continues to advocate
for an expanded federal stem cell policy. More >>
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