Unspecialized human embryonic stem cells growing in
the NIH Stem Cell Unit laboratory.
Photograph from NIH.gov
On Friday the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a draft of Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research. These new guidelines are in response to President Obama’s executive order 13505 removing barriers to responsible scientific research involving human stem cells. These proposed rules only extend to research supported by federal government funds, but the majority of biomedical research is funded through the NIH. The new policies are to ensure that the “research in this area is ethically responsible, scientifically worthy, and conducted in accordance with applicable law.”
These draft guidelines provide for more research than is currently supported but continues to limit other areas.
The new guidelines open the possibility of ultimately permitting research on human embryonic stem cells derived from embryos created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) for reproductive purposes but are no longer needed. Limits remain in place prohibiting using human embryonic stems cells created in other ways including embryos created for the sole purposes of research. These guidelines do not affect ongoing research on non-embryonic naturally occurring or induced adult stem cells.
The draft guidelines will be published in the Federal Register on April 24. The NIH will be collecting public comments for 30 days after the publication prior to issuing final rules for research involving human stem cells. Comments may be mailed to NIH Stem Cell Guidelines, MSC 7997, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-7997. At the time of publication in the Federal Register, the NIH will make available a URL where comments may be submitted electronically.
Why does it matter?
Stem cells are capable of reproducing rapidly and have the potential to form specific cells and tissues needed by the body. Research on stem cells is focused on cell-based therapies to replace dead cells or repair damaged tissues. With further research it is hoped that stem cells will provide a treatment for diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord injury, burns, or heart disease.
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