Re: NEWS: Embryonic clones tied to medical advances

[Linda J Herman <ljherman1@xxxxxxxx>]

Murray - thanks for posting the article from the Chicago Tribune
"Embryonic clones tied to medical advances
New research on stem cells stirs moral debate"

As I read this article from the Chicago Tribune, I couldn't help but
wonder if the media has again contributed to confusion over the issue
currently being decided by the Bush Administration and the DHHS --
whether or not to fund research utilizing stem cells derived from
left-over embryos from fertility clinics under the current NIH
guidelines. The NIH guidelines clearly prohibit funding of research
involving human cloning. S. 2015 - the Stem Cell Research Act of 2001
also prohibits it. Both are very specific and narrow in terms of what
type of research may be funded -- and the creation of human embryos and
human cloning are NOT to be funded under the current guidelines (see
below)

I don't think this distinction is being explained clearly and accurately
by the news media, and the resulting confusion could create a political
and public opinion backlash against NIH funding of any stem cell
research. Any other thoughts or opinions on this?
Linda
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Using Human
Pluripotent Stem Cells

SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is hereby publishing
final National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Using Human
Pluripotent Stem Cells. The Guidelines establish procedures to help
ensure that NIH-funded research in this area is conducted in an ethical
and legal manner.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These Guidelines are effective on August 25, 2000. The
moratorium on research using human pluripotent stem cells derived from
human embryos and fetal tissue put in place by the Director, NIH, in
January 1999, will be lifted on August 25, 2000.

II. Guidelines for Research Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells that is
Eligible for NIH Funding
     A. Utilization of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Human
     Embryos

 2. Conditions for the Utilization of Human Pluripotent
          Stem Cells Derived From Human Embryos

          Studies utilizing pluripotent stem cells derived from
          human embryos may be conducted using NIH funds only if
          the cells were derived (without Federal funds) from
          human embryos that were created for the purposes of
          fertility treatment and were in excess of the clinical
          need of the individuals seeking such treatment.

III. Areas of Research Involving Human Pluripotent Stem Cells that are
Ineligible for NIH Funding

Areas of research ineligible for NIH funding include:

     A. The derivation of pluripotent stem cells from human embryos;

     B. Research in which human pluripotent stem cells are utilized to
     create or contribute to a human embryo;

     C. Research utilizing pluripotent stem cells that were derived
     from human embryos created for research purposes, rather than for
     fertility treatment;

     D. Research in which human pluripotent stem cells are derived
     using somatic cell nuclear transfer, i.e., the transfer of a
     human somatic cell nucleus into a human or animal egg;

     E. Research utilizing human pluripotent stem cells that were
     derived using somatic cell nuclear transfer, i.e., the transfer
     of a human somatic cell nucleus into a human or animal egg;

     F. Research in which human pluripotent stem cells are combined
     with an animal embryo; and

     G. Research in which human pluripotent stem cells are used in
     combination with somatic cell nuclear transfer for the purposes
     of reproductive cloning of a human.
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S. 2015 --

   SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Stem Cell Research Act of 2001''.

   SEC. 2. HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL GENERATION AND RESEARCH.

   ``(a) IN GENERAL.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary may only conduct, support, or fund research on human embryos
for the purpose of generating embryonic stem cells and utilizing stem
cells that have been derived from embryos in accordance with this
section.

    ``(b) SOURCES OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS.--For purposes of carrying out
research under subsection (a), the human embryonic stem cells involved
shall be derived only from embryos that have been donated from in-vitro
fertilization clinics after compliance with the following:

    ``(1) Prior to the consideration of embryo donation and through
consultation with the progenitors, it is determined that the embryos will
never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded.

    ``(2) The embryos are donated with the written informed consent of
the progenitors.

    ``(c) RESTRICTIONS.--

    ``(1) IN GENERAL.--The following restriction shall apply with respect
to human embryonic stem cell research conducted or supported under
subsection (a):

    ``(A) The research involved shall not result in the creation of human
embryos.

    ``(B) The research involved shall not result in the reproductive
cloning of a human being.

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