Briefing: Stem Cell Research
On March 9 President Barack Obama issued an executive order that lifted the restrictions on stem cell research, stating that “more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation.” This executive order revokes the one signed by President Bush, which limited federal funding of research involving human stem cells.
What are the details?
The Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will be allowed to fund and conduct human embryonic stem cell research.The director of the NIH must develop guidelines for the support and conduct of responsible research within 120 days of the signing of the executive order.
What are stem cells?
Many scientists believe that stem cells have great potential because they are capable of developing into many different cell types in the body – muscle cells, red blood cells or brain cells, for example. According to the National Institutes of Health, they serve as a “repair system for the body” and can theoretically divide without limit.
What was previously allowed?
An executive order signed by President Bush on June 20, 2007 allowed federal funding of stem cell research on cell lines created before August 9, 2001, but prohibited research on cell lines established after that date.
What does the order hope to achieve?
The scientific community believes that stem cell research has potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. President Obama declared that this executive order will “enhance the contribution of America’s scientists to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind.”
What’s the Central Massachusetts angle?
Organizations like UMass Medical School in Worcester were only allowed to do research on a handful of pre-exisitng stem cell lines under Presient Bush’s policy. Now, researchers in Worcester and the region will be able to use federal funds to run experminents on embryonic stem cells, which proponents say could lead to big discoveries.
Click here for a fact sheet from President Obama on his executive order.
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