2010-08-24
National
Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins held a briefing to
update the research community on the immediate impact of the August 23 federal court
decision blocking the use of federal funding for embryonic stem cell
research.
Dr.
Collins indicated that NIH was “stunned” by the court’s preliminary injunction
preventing the use of federal funds for research involving embryonic stem cells
and stressed that the court’s ruling has the potential to do damage to one of
the most promising areas of scientific research. In addressing the
immediate consequences of the court’s ruling, Dr. Collins noted that:
- NIH has 50 new grant applications that are
currently in the queue for peer review; these applications will be pulled from
consideration as a result of the court’s decision.
- NIH has 12 grant applications (totaling
approximately $15-20 million) up for final review by NIH Advisory Councils;
again, these applications will be pulled from consideration.
- There are 22 ongoing projects (totaling
approximately $54 million) that are scheduled for annual grant renewal during
the month of September; the research on these projects will be stopped and the
renewal applications will not be able to be considered.
However,
Dr. Collins also stressed that based on the Department of Justice’s guidance to
NIH, grantees that have already been awarded federal funds and are currently
conducting research will be allowed to continue their research. NIH
is communicating with all grantees that may be impacted by this decision and
clarifying that they may continue with their research.
The
August 23 court ruling came as part of a lawsuit brought against the federal
government by two researchers who claimed they could be harmed by the new
policy since they worked exclusively with adult stem cells and would face
increased competition for federal financing under the new policy. Although
he did not respond directly to the legal merits of the case, Dr. Collins noted
that NIH funds all research based on scientific peer review and merit and that
one area of research would not be negatively impacted simply because NIH chose
to fund another area of research.
ASH
is continuing to monitor this issue and will provide updates on any
developments.
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