2009-05-01
“... We will lift the ban on federal funding for promising
embryonic stem cell research. We will also vigorously support
scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to
lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.”
On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order
reversing former President Bush’s policy limiting federal funding of
embryonic stem cell (ESC) research. Under the terms of the new policy,
President Obama has fully rescinded the Bush administration policy that
restricted the use of federal funds for ESC research to cell lines
derived prior to August 9, 2001. In addition, President Obama has
instructed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to issue
appropriate, ethical guidelines for this necessary research and
indicated that he hopes Congress will also act and pass legislation to
provide additional support for stem cell research. Following the
announcement, ASH sent a letter to President Obama expressing the
Society’s sincere appreciation for his leadership in lifting the
restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
ASH was one of the first of the few physician organizations at the
forefront of the debate over federal research funding of ESCs and has
shared its policy in support of all avenues of stem cell research with
elected officials. The Society will continue to work with congressional
leaders as legislation is drafted to establish rules for federal
funding of ESC research. ASH will also be working with NIH as the
research guidelines required by the Executive Order are developed.
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Attending the signing was a great pleasure. Being on the stage with the
President (who lived only three blocks from me in Hyde Park) was a
thrilling experience and an honor. As a member of former President
Bush’s Council on Bioethics and the National Academy of Sciences
Committee on Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, I have
had a ring-side seat on these important issues. I think the onus is
really on all of us in stem cell research to show the potential of
embryonic stem cells in treating hematologic diseases. In hematology/
oncology we have used adult stem cells for some time, and their use has
become the standard of care in some situations. Are there diseases for
which embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have a curative/palliative role? Are
ESCs better than induced pluripotent stem cells? These are the
challenges that face us now that we have the opportunity to carry out
this research. But we must always be cognizant that some segment of the
public is watching our actions very closely; thus, we must always be
able to provide a persuasive ethical justification for all of the
procedures that undergird our research.
- Janet D. Rowley, MD |
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