Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells
Mar 11, 2009
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Mar 9, 2009
Published on: Mar 11, 2009
Mar 11, 2009
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Mar 9, 2009
Published on: Mar 11, 2009
Summary
Allows federal money to be used for scientific research on human stem cells to help find new treatments for diseases and other health problems.
What problem does this solve?
For eight years, government rules limited federal funding for important human stem cell research, which slowed down scientific progress. This order removes those old rules, allowing government agencies to support and conduct this promising research again.
What does this order do?
Removes federal funding limits on stem cell research
Cancels a previous policy from 2001 that limited how the government could fund research involving human embryonic stem cells.
Authorizes federal support for stem cell research
Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund and perform responsible human stem cell research.
Requires new research guidelines
Orders the NIH to create and release new guidelines for human stem cell research within 120 days to make sure the work is done responsibly.
Revokes Executive Order 13435
Formally cancels a 2007 executive order that had added to the limits on human embryonic stem cell research.
Who does this affect?
- Scientists and medical researchers
- Patients with disabling diseases and conditions
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
What is the real world impact?
•
Advances scientific and medical research
Promotes new discoveries and therapies for many disabling diseases by allowing federal funds to support human stem cell research, which many scientists believe is very promising.
•
Re-opens a major ethical debate
Reverses a previous policy that restricted funding due to moral and ethical concerns about using human embryos for research. This change is opposed by groups who believe this type of research is wrong.
When does this start?
This order takes effect immediately and sets a deadline for new research guidelines to be created.
New NIH guidance on stem cell research
Within 120 days of March 9, 2009, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) must issue new guidance for conducting human stem cell research.