2009-02-18

Legislation to expand federally funded stem cell research has been reintroduced in the 111th Congress. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Michael Castle (R-DE) have reintroduced the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 873). This legislation is similar to legislation passed in both the 109th and 110th Congresses, but vetoed by President Bush.

HR 873 would expand the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research by allowing federal funding of research on stem cell lines regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived. Current policy, established by the Bush Administration, allows federally funded research only on stem cell lines derived prior August 9, 2001. HR 873 also establishes strict ethical guidelines for this field of research by requiring that federal funds not be used to derive stem cells or destroy embryos.

Representatives DeGette and Castle have also introduced the Stem Cell Research Improvement Act (HR 872). In addition to expanding the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research, HR 872 would also establish an ethical framework for conducting human embryonic stem cell research and direct the National Institutes of Health to issue guidelines for stem cell research.

Following the November 2008 election, then-President–Elect Barack Obama indicated that one of the first acts of his new administration would likely be to issue an Executive Order to reverse President Bush’s policy limiting federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. During the presidential campaign, ASH had encouraged both candidates to support expanding stem cell research. President Obama has repeatedly indicated his support for expanding stem cell research and co-sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act while serving in the Senate. However, since taking office in January, President Obama has not yet issued an Executive Order to remove the limits on federally funded embryonic stem cell research and recent press reports suggest that he may be considering linking an Executive Order with legislative action.

ASH has been actively involved in the stem cell legislative debate since the beginning and was one of the first and few physician organizations at the forefront of the debate over federal research funding of embryonic stem cells. The Society is a member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, the nation’s most vocal proponent of the use of regenerative medicine to cure disease and alleviate suffering.

ASH's policy in support of all avenues of stem cell research is available online.

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