“... 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 Under the terms of the new policy, President Obama has fully rescinded the Bush administration policy that restricted the use of federal funds for ESC research to cell lines derived prior to August 9, 2001.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.
President Barack Obama Signing an Executive Order Reversing Former President Bush’s Policy Limiting Federal Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) Research.
President Barack Obama Signing an Executive Order Reversing Former President Bush’s Policy Limiting Federal Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) Research.
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.
