ȱ
Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱ
Š—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ž’‘ȱǯȱ ˜‘—œ˜—ȱ
™ŽŒ’Š•’œȱ’—ȱ’˜–Ž’ŒŠ•ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ
›’—ȱǯȱ’••’Š–œȱ
™ŽŒ’Š•’œȱ’—ȱž‹•’Œȱ ŽŠ•‘ȱŠ—ȱ’˜Ž‘’Œœȱ
ž•¢ȱŗŖǰȱŘŖŖŞȱ
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Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
ž––Š›¢ȱ
Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and may have
the potential to treat injuries as well as illnesses, such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
Currently, most human embryonic stem cell lines used in research are derived from embryos
produced via in vitro fertilization (IVF). Because the process of removing these cells destroys the
embryo, some individuals believe the derivation of stem cells from human embryos is ethically
unacceptable. In November 2007, research groups in Japan and the United States announced the
development of embryonic stem cell-like cells, called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, via the
introduction of four genes into human skin cells. Those concerned about the ethical implications
of deriving stem cells from human embryos argue that researchers should use iPS cells or adult
stem cells (from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood). However, National Institutes of Health
(NIH) Director Elias Zerhouni and many other scientists believe research should focus on all
types of stem cells.
In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time, federal funds would be used to
support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to “existing stem
cell lines.” NIH has established a registry of 78 human embryonic stem cell lines that are eligible
for use in federally funded research, but only 21 cell lines are currently available. Scientists are
concerned about the quality and longevity of these 21 stem cell lines. NIH Director Zerhouni
stated before Senate and House subcommittees in March 2007 and in May 2008 that research
advancement requires access to new human embryonic stem cell lines.
The Senate passed S. 5 (Reid) on April 11, 2007. S. 5 would allow federal support of research that
utilizes human embryonic stem cells regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived
from a human embryo, and would negate the August 2001 Bush stem cell policy limitation. S. 5
also would provide support for research on alternative human pluripotent stem cells, such as iPS
cells. The House passed S. 5 on June 7, 2007, and President Bush vetoed the bill on June 20,
2007. (The 109th Congress passed legislation similar to S. 5, H.R. 810 (Castle), but President
Bush vetoed it, the first veto of his presidency. A House attempt to override the veto failed.)
On the related issue of human cloning, the House failed to pass H.R. 2560 (DeGette) on June 7,
2007. The bill would impose penalties on anyone who cloned a human embryo and implanted it
in a uterus. S. 812 (Hatch) would ban human reproductive cloning but allow for the therapeutic
uses of the technique. In contrast, H.R. 2564 (Weldon) and S. 1036 (Brownback) would ban not
only reproductive applications, but also research on therapeutic uses, which has implications for
stem cell research. Advocates of the legislative ban say that allowing any form of human cloning
research to proceed raises serious ethical issues, and will inevitably lead to the birth of a baby
who is a human clone. Critics argue that the measure would curtail medical research and prevent
Americans from receiving life-saving treatments created overseas. This report will be updated as
needed.

˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
˜—Ž—œȱ
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Basic Research and Potential Applications ..................................................................................... 2
Embryonic Stem Cells from IVF Embryos or Fetal Tissue....................................................... 2
Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells........................................................................................ 3
Embryonic Stem Cells Obtained via SCNT (Cloning).............................................................. 3
Stem Cells from Adult Tissue or Umbilical Cord Blood........................................................... 5
Potential Applications of Stem Cell Research........................................................................... 7
Current Regulatory Landscape ........................................................................................................ 7
The Dickey Amendment ........................................................................................................... 7
Clinton Administration Stem Cell Policy.................................................................................. 8
Bush Administration Stem Cell Policy.................................................................................... 10
Regulation of Stem Cell Research .......................................................................................... 10
National Academies Guidelines.........................................................................................11
FDA Regulation .................................................................................................................11
NIH Research Funding and Stem Cell Registry ............................................................... 12
State Laws that Restrict Stem Cell Research .......................................................................... 14
Concerns Over Access to Stem Cell Lines .................................................................................... 15
Worldwide Survey of Stem Cell Lines.................................................................................... 15
Congressional Letters on Bush Policy .................................................................................... 15
Congressional Actions................................................................................................................... 17
Stem Cell Research ................................................................................................................. 17
Cloning.................................................................................................................................... 21

Š‹•Žœȱ
Table 1. National Institutes of Health Funding.............................................................................. 13
Table 2. NIH List of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Eligible for Use in Federal
Research ..................................................................................................................................... 13

˜—ŠŒœȱ
Author Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 23

˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
—›˜žŒ’˜—ȱ
On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used
to support research on human embryonic stem cells. However, funding would be limited to stem
cell lines that had been created prior to the date of the policy announcement. Research involving
human embryonic stem cells raises a number of ethical issues because the stem cells are located
inside the embryo, and the process of removing the cells destroys the embryo.1 Many religious
and socially conservative individuals believe the destruction of embryos for the purpose of
harvesting embryonic stem cells is morally and ethically unacceptable. They argue that
researchers should use other alternatives, such as iPS cells or adult stem cells (both discussed
below), instead of embryonic stem cells.
A relatively small amount of federal funding has been used to support human embryonic stem cell
research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified 78 human embryonic stem cell lines
that would be eligible for use in federally funded research, but most were found to be either
unavailable or unsuitable for research. Twenty-one cell lines are currently available under the
Bush policy. Scientists are concerned about the quality and longevity of these 21 stem cell lines.
Many believe research advancement requires the use of new human embryonic stem cell lines.
The Director of NIH, Elias Zerhouni, stated in a hearing on March 19, 2007, before the Senate
Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Subcommittee that “It’s not possible for me to see how we can continue the momentum of science
and research with the stem cell lines we have at NIH that can be funded.”2 When asked if other
avenues of research should be pursued instead, Dr. Zerhouni stated that “the presentations about
adult stem cells holding as much or more potential than embryonic stem cells, in my view, do not
hold scientific water. I think they are overstated.”3 He noted that competitors in Europe, China,
and India are investing heavily in human embryonic stem cell research. “I think it is important for
us not to fight with one hand tied behind our back here. I think it’s time to move forward on this
area. It’s time for policy makers to find common ground, to make sure that NIH does not lose its
historical leadership.... To sideline NIH on such an issue of importance in my view is
shortsighted.”4 On May 8, 2008, Dr. Zerhouni made similar statements about the need for
additional embryonic stem cell lines and the value of pursuing all avenues of stem cells research
at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.5
Several states, such as California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey, have
responded by moving forward with their own initiatives to encourage or provide funding for stem
cell research, and many others are considering similar action. Proponents of these state stem cell
research initiatives want to remain competitive, as well as prevent the relocation of scientists and
biotechnology firms to other states or overseas. However, without the central direction and

1 For further information, see CRS Report RL33554, Stem Cell Research: Ethical Issues, by Erin D. Williams and
Judith A. Johnson.
2 Drew Armstrong, “NIH Chief’s Opinion on Stem Cell Research Goes Afield of White House Policy,” CQ Today,
March 19, 2007.
3 Ibid.
4 John Reichard, “Zerhouni Makes Strong Case Against Bush Policy on Stem Cells, NIH Funding,” CQ Today, March
19, 2005.
5 An archived audio webcast of the May 8, 2008, hearing can be found at http://energycommerce.house.gov/
cmte_mtgs/110-he-hrg.050808.StemCell.shtml.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
coordinated research approach that the federal government can provide, many are concerned that
the states’ actions will result in duplication of research efforts among the states, a possible lack of
oversight for ethical concerns, and ultimately a loss of U.S. preeminence in this important area of
basic research.
The new majority leadership of the 110th Congress indicated that it would address the topic of
stem cell research early in the first session. H.R. 3 (DeGette) was introduced on January 5, 2007,
with 211 cosponsors, and passed the House on January 11, 2007.6 The bill would allow federal
support of research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells regardless of the date on which the
stem cells were derived from a human embryo, and thus negate the August 2001 Bush stem cell
policy limitation. The Senate passed S. 5 (Reid) on April 11, the House passed S. 5 on June 7, and
President Bush vetoed the bill on June 20, 2007. S. 5 is the same as H.R. 3 except it has an
additional section supporting research on alternative human pluripotent stem cells.7
Šœ’ŒȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŠ—ȱ˜Ž—’Š•ȱ™™•’ŒŠ’˜—œȱ
Most cells within an animal or human being are committed to fulfilling a single function within
the body. In contrast, stem cells are a unique and important set of cells that are not specialized.
Stem cells retain the ability to become some or all of the more than 200 different cell types in the
body, and thereby play a critical role in repairing organs and body tissues throughout life.
Although the term stem cells is often used in reference to these repair cells within an adult
organism, a more fundamental variety of stem cells is found in the early-stage embryo.
Embryonic stem cells may have a greater ability to become different types of body cells than
adult stem cells.
–‹›¢˜—’ŒȱŽ–ȱŽ••œȱ›˜–ȱ ȱ–‹›¢˜œȱ˜›ȱŽŠ•ȱ’œœžŽȱ
Embryonic stem cells were first isolated from mouse embryos in 1981 and from primate embryos
in 1995. Animal embryos were the only source for research on embryonic stem cells until
November 1998, when two groups of U.S. scientists announced the successful isolation of human
embryonic stem cells. One group, at the University of Wisconsin, derived stem cells from five-
day-old embryos produced via in vitro fertilization (IVF).8 The work is controversial because the
stem cells are located within the embryo and the process of removing them destroys the embryo.
Many individuals who are opposed to abortion are also opposed to research involving embryos.
The second group, at Johns Hopkins University, derived stem cells with very similar properties

6 During the first session of the 109th Congress, the House passed identical legislation, H.R. 810 (Castle), in May 2005.
In July 2006, the Senate passed H.R. 810 and President Bush immediately vetoed it, the first veto of his presidency. An
attempt in the House to override the veto was unsuccessful.
7 A pluripotent cell has the ability to differentiate into all of the various cell types that make up the body, but not the
“extra-embryonic” tissues such as the components of the placenta.
8 The IVF embryos were originally created for the treatment of infertility. Excess embryos are often frozen for future
use. A couple may elect to discard their excess embryos, donate the embryos for research, or allow another couple to
adopt an embryo. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and RAND conducted a survey of more than 430
infertility clinics to determine the number of frozen embryos in the United States; 340 clinics responded to the survey.
Nearly 400,000 embryos have been frozen and stored since the late 1970s. The vast majority of embryos are being held
to help couples have children at a later date. Patients have designated 2.8%, or about 11,000 embryos, for research.
Scientists estimate these 11,000 could form up to 275 stem cell lines, perhaps much less http://www.rand.org/pubs/
research_briefs/RB9038/index1.html.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Řȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
from five- to nine-week-old embryos or from fetuses obtained through elective abortion.9 Both
groups reported the human embryos or fetuses were donated for research following a process of
informing one or more parents and obtaining their consent. The cells removed from embryos or
fetuses were manipulated in the laboratory to create embryonic stem cell lines that may continue
to divide for many months to years. The vast majority of research on human embryonic stem
cells, both in the United States and overseas, utilizes cell lines derived via the University of
Wisconsin method.
—žŒŽȱ•ž›’™˜Ž—ȱŽ–ȱǻ’ǼȱŽ••œȱ
In November 2007, two research groups, one at Kyoto University in Japan and the second at the
University of Wisconsin, Madison, announced the development of embryonic stem cell-like cells,
called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, through the introduction of four genes into human
skin cells.10 Until this breakthrough, the characteristics displayed by the iPS cells were thought to
occur only in cells found within the embryo. The research teams accomplished the
reprogramming of the adult skin cells by using a retrovirus to transport the four genes into the
skin cells. The teams each used a different set of four genes; the Kyoto group has subsequently
achieved reprogramming using three genes.11 The work on human iPS cells is based on earlier
studies by the Kyoto group in mouse embryos that identified the genes active in early embryos
and then used combinations of these genes to try and reprogram adult mouse cells. The successful
mouse reprogramming study, using four mouse genes, was announced in June 2006. The
analogous four human genes were used by the Kyoto group on the human skin cells.
Although development of iPS cells may one day lessen the need to study stem cells derived from
the human embryo, scientists insist that work on human embryonic stem cells must continue for
several reasons.12 For example, it is unclear whether iPS cells share all the characteristics of
embryonic stem cells, and therefore multiple comparisons between the two types of cells will be
necessary. In addition, because scientists have used potentially cancer-causing retroviruses to
transfer the reprogramming genes, these iPS cells would not desirable for therapeutic uses in
patients. Therefore, alternative mechanisms to accomplish reprogramming would need to be
developed. Scientists are in the process of investigating the use of other safer viruses to transfer
the genes. Some groups are exploring chemical methods of achieving the same results by
switching on genes in the adult cell rather than transferring in additional gene copies with a virus.
–‹›¢˜—’ŒȱŽ–ȱŽ••œȱ‹Š’—ŽȱŸ’Šȱȱǻ•˜—’—Ǽȱ
Another potential source of embryonic stem cells is somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also
referred to as cloning.13 For certain applications, stem cells derived using SCNT may offer the

9 Scientists and physicians use the term “embryo” for the first eight weeks after fertilization, and “fetus” for the ninth
week through birth. In contrast, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations define “fetus” as
“the product of conception from the time of implantation” (45 C.F.R. § 46.203).
10 Gretchen Vogel and Constance Holden, “Field Leaps Forward with New Stem Cell Advances,” Science, v. 318,
November 23, 2007, pp. 1224-1225.
11 Dennis Normile, “Shinya Yamanaka: Modest Researcher, Results to Brag About,” Science, v. 319, February 1, 2008,
p. 562.
12 Constance Holden and Gretchen Vogel, “A Seismic Shift for Stem Cell Research,” Science, v. 319, February 1,
2008, pp. 560-563.
13 A somatic cell is a body cell. In contrast, a germ cell is an egg or sperm cell.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
řȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
best hope for understanding and treating disease. In SCNT the nucleus of an egg is removed and
replaced by the nucleus from a mature body cell, such as a skin cell obtained from a patient. In
1996, scientists in Scotland used the SCNT procedure to produce Dolly the sheep, the first
mammalian clone.14 When SCNT is used to create another individual, such as Dolly, the process
is called reproductive cloning. In contrast, scientists interested in using SCNT to create cloned
stem cells would allow the cell created via SCNT to develop for a few days, and then the stem
cells would be removed for research. Stem cells created via SCNT would be genetically identical
to the patient, and thus would avoid any tissue rejection problems that could occur if the cells
were transplanted into the patient. Creating stem cells using SCNT for research purposes is
sometimes referred to as therapeutic cloning.
Although various scientific groups have reported success in using SCNT to create cloned
embryos (which are then used to produce stem cell lines or live births) of a variety of different
mammals (sheep, rabbits, cows), attempts at creating primate embryos via SCNT had been
unsuccessful. However, in June 2007, researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research
Center at Oregon Health and Science University announced the successful derivation of stem
cells from a rhesus monkey embryo created via SCNT.15 Results of the Oregon group were
confirmed in November 2007.16
The unsubstantiated announcement by Clonaid in December 2002 of the birth of a cloned child
have contributed to the controversy over research on human embryos.17 More recently, charges of
ethical and scientific misconduct have clouded the reputation of scientists involved in deriving
stem cells from human embryos created via SCNT. In February 2004, scientists at the Seoul
National University (SNU) in South Korea announced the first isolation of stem cells from a
cloned human embryo and in May 2005 announced advances in the efficiency of creating cloned
human embryos and in isolating human stem cells. Concerns about the SNU work arose in
November 2005 when a U.S. co-author of the 2005 paper accused Hwang Woo Suk, the lead
SNU researcher, of ethical misconduct.18 In December 2005, a Korean co-author of the May 2005
paper stated that the research was fabricated and the paper should be retracted; Hwang agreed to
the retraction. On January 10, 2006, SNU stated that results of the 2004 paper were also a
deliberate fabrication.19 Despite these difficulties, scientists in a number of labs are continuing to
work on deriving patient-matched stem cells from cloned human embryos.20

14 Dolly was euthanized in February 2003 after developing a lung infection. Some claim her death at six years was
related to being a clone, but her ailment may also have occurred because she was raised indoors (for security reasons)
rather than as a pastured sheep, which often live to 12 years of age. G. Kolata, “First Mammal Clone Dies,” New York
Times
, February 15, 2003, p. A4.
15 Elizabeth Finkel, “Researchers Derive Stem Cells From Monkeys,” ScienceNOW Daily News, June 19, 2007.
16 Vogel and Holden, “Field Leaps Forward with New Stem Cell Advances,” p. 1224.
17 For further information, see CRS Report RL31358, Human Cloning, by Judith A. Johnson and Erin D. Williams.
18 Gretchen Vogel, “Collaborators Split over Ethics Allegations” Science, November 18, 2005, p. 1100.
19 Nicholas Wade and Choe Sang-Hun, “Researcher Faked Evidence of Human Cloning, Koreans Report,” The New
York Times
, January 10, 2006, p. A1.
20 Dennis Normile, Gretchen Vogel, and Constance Holden, “Cloning Researcher Says Work is Flawed but Claims
Results Stand,” Science, December 23, 2005, p. 1886-1887; Carl T. Hall, “UCSF Resumes Human Embryo Stem Cell
Work,” The San Francisco Chronicle, May 6, 2006, p. A.1.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Śȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
Ž–ȱŽ••œȱ›˜–ȱž•ȱ’œœžŽȱ˜›ȱ–‹’•’ŒŠ•ȱ˜›ȱ•˜˜ȱ
Stem cells obtained from adult organisms are also the focus of research. In April 2007,
researchers in Brazil published a preliminary report on attempts to treat 15 newly diagnosed type
1 diabetes patients with high-dose immunosuppressive chemotherapy followed by transplantation
of the patient’s own stem cells.21 Although this experiment was first proposed by U.S. scientists,
the risks associated with the procedure were judged to be to high (5% mortality) for a treatable
disease that affects children.22 Type 1 diabetes is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which
the patient’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Scientists are not
certain about the exact mechanism of how the treatment works. One hypothesis is that the
chemotherapy suppresses the patient’s immune system and stops the destruction of the remaining
insulin-producing cells in the patient’s body, which is why early diagnosis is crucial in this
approach. The patient’s stem cells are then transfused back into the body, hopefully becoming
part of an immune system that will not continue to attack the patient’s insulin-producing cells.
A January 2007 report found that cells similar to embryonic stem cells can be found in amniotic
fluid. However, the lead author of the report, as well as others in the field, caution that these cells
are not a replacement for embryonic stem cells.23 There have been a number of other publications
on the abilities and characteristics of adult stem cells from a variety of different sources, such as
bone marrow and the umbilical cord following birth. Bone marrow transplantation, a type of adult
stem cell therapy, has been used for 50 years to treat patients for a variety of blood-related
conditions.24 Several private companies (such as MorphoGen, NeuralStem, Osiris Therapeutics,
StemSource, ViaCell) are working on additional therapeutic uses of adult stem cells.
In 1999, David A. Prentice of the Family Research Council and other biomedical researchers
founded Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics, a group that opposes
stem cell research on the grounds that it is unethical because it destroys embryos and is
unnecessary due to the success of adult stem cell therapy. Do No Harm has compiled a list of 73
diseases that it claims can be treated using adult stem cells.25 In a July 2006 letter to Science,
Smith et al. accuse Prentice of misleading the public and deceiving patients with the list because
only nine of the adult stem cell treatments have been “fully tested in all required phases of
clinical trials and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”26 Prentice responded in a
January 2007 letter that “Our list of [then] 72 applications, compiled from peer-reviewed articles,
documents observable and measurable benefit to patients, a necessary step toward formal FDA
approval and what is expected of new, cutting-edge medical applications.”27 Prentice also accused

21 Julio C. Voltarelli, et al., “Autologous Nonmyeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Newly
Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus,” Journal of the American Medical Association, April 11, 2007, v. 297, p. 1568-
1576.
22 Comments made by NIH Director Elias Zerhouni during a May 8, 2008 hearing before the House Energy and
Commerce Subcommittee on Health, audio webcast available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/cmte_mtgs/110-he-
hrg.050808.StemCell.shtml.
23 Rick Weiss, “Scientists See Potential in Amniotic Stem Cells; They Are Highly Versatile And Readily Available,”
The Washington Post, January 8, 2007, p. A1, A5.
24 Frederick R. Appelbaum, “Hematopoietic-Cell Transplantation at 50,” The New England Journal of Medicine, v.
357, October 11, 2007, pp. 1472-1475.
25 http://www.stemcellresearch.org/facts/treatments.htm.
26 Shane Smith, William Neaves and Steven Teitelbaum, “Adult Stem Cell Treatments for Diseases?”Science, v. 313,
July 28, 2006, p. 439; as well as online in Sciencexpress, July 13, 2006, p. 1 http://www.sciencexpress.org.
27 David A. Prentice and Gene Tarne, “Treating Diseases with Adult Stem Cells,” Science, v. 315, January 19, 2007, p.
(continued...)
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
śȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
Smith et al. of “cruelly deceiving patients and the public” by promoting the “falsehood that
embryonic stem cell cures are imminent.” In a June 2007 exchange, Smith et al. continue to
emphasize that the majority of treatments on the list haven’t met FDA standards.28 Prentice
defended the list by pointing to tangible benefits to some patients.29 Both sides again accused the
other of misleading laypeople and deceiving patients.
Opponents of stem cell research advocate that adult instead of embryonic stem cell research
should be pursued because they believe the derivation of stem cells from either IVF embryos or
aborted fetuses is ethically unacceptable. Others believe that adult stem cells should not be the
sole target of research because of important scientific and technical limitations. Adult stem cells
may not be as long lived or capable of as many cell divisions as embryonic stem cells. Also, adult
stem cells may not be as versatile in developing into various types of tissue as embryonic stem
cells, and the location and rarity of the cells in the body might rule out safe and easy access. For
these reasons, many scientists argue that both adult and embryonic stem cells should be the
subject of research, allowing for a comparison of their various capabilities. Reports issued by the
NIH and the Institute of Medicine (IoM) state that both embryonic and adult stem cell research
should be pursued.30
In FY2004, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-199) provided $10 million to
establish a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank within the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA). HRSA was directed to use $1 million to contract with the IoM to
conduct a study that would recommend an optimal structure for the program. The study, Cord
Blood: Establishing a National Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank Program
, was released in April
2005. The blood cell forming stem cells found in cord blood can be used as an alternative to bone
marrow transplantation in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, certain types of anemia, and
inherited disorders of immunity and metabolism. The IOM report provides the logistical process
for establishing a national cord blood banking system, establishes uniform standards for cord
blood collection and storage, and provides recommendations on ethical and legal issues
associated with cord blood collection, storage and use.
On December 20, 2005, the President signed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005
(P.L. 109-129). The act provides for the collection and maintenance of human cord blood stem
cells for the treatment of patients and for research. It stipulates that amounts appropriated in
FY2004 or FY2005 for this purpose shall remain available until the end of FY2007, and
authorizes $60 million over FY2007-FY2010. The act also reauthorizes the national bone marrow
registry with $186 million over FY2006-FY2010. In addition, it creates a database to enable
health care workers to search for cord blood and bone marrow matches and links all these
functions under a new name, the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation program.

(...continued)
328.
28 Shane Smith, William Neaves and Steven Teitelbaum, “Adult Versus Embryonic Stem Cells: Treatments,” Science,
v. 316, June 8, 2007, p. 1422.
29 David A. Prentice and Gene Tarne, “Adult Versus Embryonic Stem Cells: Treatments—Response,” Science, v. 316,
June 8, 2007, p. 1422-1423.
30 National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future
Research Directions
, June 2001, available at http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/. Institute of Medicine, Stem Cells
and the Future of Regenerative Medicine
, 2002, available at http://www.nas.edu.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Ŝȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
˜Ž—’Š•ȱ™™•’ŒŠ’˜—œȱ˜ȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱ
Stem cells provide the opportunity to study the growth and differentiation of individual cells into
tissues. Understanding these processes could provide insights into the causes of birth defects,
genetic abnormalities, and other disease states. If normal development were better understood, it
might be possible to prevent or correct some of these conditions. Stem cells could be used to
produce large amounts of one cell type to test new drugs for effectiveness and chemicals for
toxicity. Stem cells might be transplanted into the body to treat disease (diabetes, Parkinson’s
disease) or injury (e.g., spinal cord). The damaging side effects of medical treatments might be
repaired with stem cell treatment. For example, cancer chemotherapy destroys immune cells in
patients, decreasing their ability to fight off a broad range of diseases; correcting this adverse
effect would be a major advance.
Before stem cells can be applied to human medical problems, substantial advances in basic cell
biology and clinical technique are required. In addition, very challenging regulatory decisions
will be required on any individually created tissue-based therapies resulting from stem cell
research. Such decisions would likely be made by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and
Research (CBER) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The potential benefits mentioned
above would be likely only after many more years of research. Technical hurdles include
developing the ability to control the differentiation of stem cells into a desired cell type (like a
heart or nerve cell) and to ensure that uncontrolled development, such as cancer, does not occur.
Some experiments may involve the creation of a chimera, an organism that contains two or more
genetically distinct cell types, from the same species or different species.31 If stem cells are to be
used for transplantation, the problem of immune rejection must also be overcome. Some scientists
think that the creation of many more embryonic stem cell lines will eventually account for all the
various immunological types needed for use in tissue transplantation therapy. Others envision the
eventual development of a “universal donor” type of stem cell tissue, analogous to a universal
blood donor.
However, if the method used to create iPS cells or if the SCNT technique was employed (using a
cell nucleus from the patient), the stem cells created via these methods would be genetically
identical to the patient, would presumably be recognized by the patient’s immune system, and
thus might avoid any tissue rejection problems that could occur in other stem cell therapeutic
approaches. Because of this, scientists believe that these techniques may provide the best hope of
eventually treating patients using stem cells for tissue transplantation.
ž››Ž—ȱŽž•Š˜›¢ȱŠ—œŒŠ™Žȱ
‘Žȱ’Œ”Ž¢ȱ–Ž—–Ž—ȱ
Prior to an August 2001 Bush Administration decision (see below), no federal funds had been
used to support research on stem cells derived from either human embryos or fetal tissue.32 The

31 Chimeras have been created by scientists in a variety of different ways and have been the subject of research studies
for many years. Human chimeras occur naturally when two eggs become fertilized and, instead of developing into
twins, they fuse in the uterus creating a single embryo with two distinct sets of genes. For one example, see Constance
Holden, “Chimera on a Bike?” Science, June 24, 2005, p. 1864.
32 However, federal funds have been provided for research on both human and animal adult stem cells and animal
(continued...)
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŝȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
work at the University of Wisconsin and Johns Hopkins University was supported by private
funding from the Geron Corporation. Private funding for experiments involving embryos was
required because Congress attached a rider to legislation that affected FY1996 National Institutes
of Health (NIH) funding. The rider, an amendment originally introduced by Representative Jay
Dickey, prohibited HHS from using appropriated funds for the creation of human embryos for
research purposes or for research in which human embryos are destroyed. The Dickey
Amendment language has been added to each of the Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations
acts for FY1997 through FY2007.33 For FY2008, the provision is found in Section 509 of
Division G—Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-161).
It states that:
(a) None of the funds made available in this Act may be used for—
(1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or
(2) research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly
subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero
under 45 CFR 46.204(b) and Section 498(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
289g(b)).
(b) For purposes of this section, the term ‘human embryo or embryos’ includes any
organism, not protected as a human subject under 45 CFR 46 [the Human Subject Protection
regulations] as of the date of enactment of this Act, that is derived by fertilization,
parthenogenesis, cloning, or any other means from one or more human gametes [sperm or
egg] or human diploid cells [cells that have two sets of chromosomes, such as somatic cells].
•’—˜—ȱ–’—’œ›Š’˜—ȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ
Following the November 1998 announcement on the derivation of human embryonic stem cells,
NIH requested a legal opinion from HHS on whether federal funds could be used to support
research on human stem cells derived from embryos. The January 15, 1999, response from HHS
General Counsel Harriet Rabb found that the Dickey Amendment would not apply to research
using human stem cells “because such cells are not a human embryo within the statutory
definition.” The finding was based, in part, on the determination by HHS that the statutory ban on
human embryo research defines an embryo as an organism that when implanted in the uterus is
capable of becoming a human being. Human stem cells, HHS said, are not and cannot develop
into an organism; they lack the capacity to become organisms even if they are transferred to a
uterus. As a result, HHS maintained that NIH could support research that uses stem cells derived
through private funds, but could not support research that itself, with federal funds, derives stem
cells from embryos because of the federal ban in the Dickey Amendment.

(...continued)
embryonic stem cells.
33 The rider language has not changed significantly from year to year (however there was a technical correction in P.L.
109-149). The original rider can be found in Section 128 of P.L. 104-99; it affected NIH funding for FY1996 contained
in P.L. 104-91. For subsequent fiscal years, the rider is found in Title V, General Provisions, of the Labor, HHS and
Education appropriations acts in the following public laws: FY1997, P.L. 104-208; FY1998, P.L. 105-78; FY1999, P.L.
105-277; FY2000, P.L. 106-113; FY2001, P.L. 106-554; FY2002, P.L. 107-116; FY2003, P.L. 108-7; FY2004, P.L.
108-199; FY2005, P.L. 108-447; FY2006, P.L. 109-149; FY2007, P.L. 110-5.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Şȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
Shortly after the opinion by the HHS General Counsel was released, NIH disclosed that the
agency planned to fund research on stem cells derived from human embryos once appropriate
guidelines were developed and an oversight committee established. NIH Director Harold Varmus
appointed a working group that began drafting guidelines in April 1999. Draft guidelines were
published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1999. About 50,000 comments were received
during the public comment period, which ended February 22, 2000. On August 25, 2000, NIH
published in the Federal Register final guidelines on the support of human embryonic stem cell
research. The guidelines stated that studies utilizing “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.” Under the guidelines, NIH would not
fund research directly involving the derivation of human stem cells from embryos; this was
prohibited by the Dickey Amendment.
Other areas of research ineligible for NIH funding under the guidelines include (1) research in
which human stem cells are utilized to create or contribute to a human embryo; (2) research in
which human stem cells are combined with an animal embryo; (3) research in which human stem
cells are used for reproductive cloning of a human; (4) research in which human 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); (5) research utilizing human stem cells that were derived using somatic
cell nuclear transfer; and (6) research utilizing stem cells that were derived from human embryos
created for research purposes, rather than for infertility treatment.
NIH began accepting grant applications for research projects utilizing human stem cells
immediately following publication of the guidelines; the deadline for submitting a grant
application was March 15, 2001. All such applications were to be reviewed by the NIH Human
Pluripotent Stem Cell Review Group (HPSCRG), which was established to ensure compliance
with the guidelines. James Kushner, director of the University of Utah General Clinical Research
Center, served briefly as chair of the HPSCRG. Applications would also have undergone the
normal NIH peer-review process.34 The first meeting of the HPSCRG was scheduled for April 25,
2001. The HPSCRG was to conduct an ethical review of human pluripotent stem cell lines to
determine whether the research groups involved had followed the NIH guidelines in deriving the
cell lines. However, in mid April 2001, HHS postponed the meeting until a review of the Clinton
Administration’s policy decisions on stem cell research was completed by the new Bush
Administration.35 According to media sources, the 12 HPSCRG members, whose names were not

34 According to media sources, as of April 2001 only three grant applications had been submitted to NIH, and one was
subsequently withdrawn. (Washington FAX, April 19, 2001.) Presumably, scientists were reluctant to invest the time
and effort into preparing the necessary paperwork for the NIH grant application process when the prospects of
receiving federal funding were uncertain under the new Bush Administration. (P. Recer, “Stem Cell Studies Said Hurt
by Doubt,” AP Online, May 2, 2001.) In a related development, one of the leading U.S. researchers on stem cells,
Roger Pederson of the University of California, San Francisco, decided to move his laboratory to the United Kingdom
for “the possibility of carrying out my research with human embryonic stem cells with public support.” (Aaron Zitner,
“Uncertainty Is Thwarting Stem Cell Researchers,” Los Angeles Times, July 16, 2001, pp. A1, A8.) Human embryonic
stem cell research was approved overwhelmingly by the House of Commons in December 2000 and the House of Lords
in January 2001.
35 Rick Weiss, “Bush Administration Order Halts Stem Cell Meeting; NIH Planned Session to Review Fund Requests,”
Washington Post, April 21, 2001, p. A2.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
şȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
made public, represented a wide range of scientific, ethical and theological expertise and opinion,
as well as at least one “mainstream Catholic.”36
The Bush Administration conducted a legal review of the policy decisions made during the
Clinton Administration regarding federal support of stem cell research, as well as a scientific
review, prepared by NIH, of the status of the research and its applications. The scientific review
was released on July 18, 2001, at a hearing on stem cell research held by the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education.37 The NIH
report did not make any recommendations, but argued that both embryonic and adult stem cell
research should be pursued.
žœ‘ȱ–’—’œ›Š’˜—ȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ
On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used
to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to “existing
stem cell lines where the life and death decision has already been made.”38 President Bush stated
that the decision “allows us to explore the promise and potential of stem cell research without
crossing a fundamental moral line, by providing taxpayer funding that would sanction or
encourage further destruction of human embryos that have at least the potential for life.” The
President also stated that the federal government would continue to support research involving
stem cells from other sources, such as umbilical cord blood, placentas, and adult and animal
tissues, “which do not involve the same moral dilemma.”
Under the Bush policy, federal funds may only be used for research on existing stem cell lines
that were derived: (1) with the informed consent of the donors; (2) from excess embryos created
solely for reproductive purposes; and (3) without any financial inducements to the donors.39 NIH
was tasked with examining the derivation of all existing stem cell lines and creating a registry of
those lines that satisfy the Bush Administration criteria. According to the White House, this will
ensure that federal funds are used to support only stem cell research that is scientifically sound,
legal, and ethical. Federal funds will not be used for: (1) the derivation or use of stem cell lines
derived from newly destroyed embryos; (2) the creation of any human embryos for research
purposes; or (3) the cloning of human embryos for any purpose.
Žž•Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱ
The Common Rule (45 CFR 46, Subpart A) is a set of regulations that govern most federally
funded research conducted on human beings. Its three basic requirements are aimed at protecting
research subjects: the informed consent of research subjects, a review of proposed research by an
Institutional Review Board (IRB), and institutional assurances of compliance with the
regulations. However, ex vivo embryos (those not in a uterus) are not considered “human

36 Ibid.
37 National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future
Research Directions
, June 2001. The NIH scientific report can be found at http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/.
38 The August 9, 2001, Remarks by the President on Stem Cell Research can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/
news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html.
39 The White House, Fact Sheet on Embryonic Stem Cell Research, August 9, 2001, found at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-1.html.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŖȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
subjects” for these purposes, but federally funded research on human embryos is regulated by the
Dickey Amendment as described above. Stem cells and stem cell lines are also not considered
“human subjects,” nor are they governed by the Dickey Amendment.
Because of the current lack of federal regulation of stem cell research, the National Academies
has developed voluntary guidelines for deriving, handling and using human embryonic stem cells.
Two HHS agencies, FDA and NIH, regulate some aspects of stem cell research, even if research
on stem cell lines is not classified as “human subjects” research. FDA, the agency that ensures the
safety and efficacy of food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics, regulates stem cell research
aimed at the development of any “product” subject to its approval. NIH, the medical and
behavioral research agency within HHS, regulates stem cell research that it funds in compliance
with President Bush’s 2001 policy. NIH has created a Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry that
lists the human embryonic stem cell lines that meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the Bush
Administration stem cell policy.
Š’˜—Š•ȱŒŠŽ–’Žœȱ ž’Ž•’—Žœȱ
In July 2004 the National Academies established the committee on Guidelines for Human
Embryonic Stem Cell Research to develop voluntary guidelines for deriving, handling and using
human embryonic stem cells due to the current lack of federal regulation of such research. The
stated position of the National Academies is that there should be a global ban on human
reproductive cloning and therefore the guidelines will focus only on therapeutic and research uses
of human embryonic stem cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer.
The committee released its “Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research” on April 26,
2005. The document provides guidance on informed consent of donors and states that there
should be no financial incentives in the solicitation or donation of embryos, sperm, eggs, or
somatic cells for research purposes. The guidelines recommend that each institution conducting
human embryonic stem cell research establish an oversight committee, including experts in the
relevant areas of science, ethics, and law, as well as members of the public, to review all proposed
experiments. The guidelines recommend that a national panel be established to oversee the issue
in general on a continuing basis.
The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee met for the first time in July
2006 and held a number of meetings to gather information about the need to revise the
Guidelines. In February 2007, a revised version of the Guidelines was published with minor
changes affecting Sections 1 (Introduction) and Section 2 (Establishment of an Institutional
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee).40
ȱŽž•Š’˜—ȱ
All of the human embryonic stem cell lines listed on the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell
Registry (see Table 2) have been grown on beds of mouse “feeder” cells. The mouse cells secrete
a substance that prevents the human embryonic stem cells from differentiating into more mature
cell types (nerve or muscle cells). Infectious agents, such as viruses, within the mouse feeder cells

40 The 2007 Amendment to the 2005 Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research can be found at
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11278.html.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŗȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
could transfer into the human cells. If the human cells were transplanted into a patient, these
infected human cells may cause disease in the patient which could be transmitted to close
contacts of the patient and eventually to the general population. Public health officials and
regulatory agencies such as the FDA are specifically concerned about retroviruses, which may
remain hidden in the DNA only to cause disease many years later, as well as any unrecognized
agents which may be present in the mouse cells.
The FDA defines “xenotransplantation” as “any procedure that involves the transplantation,
implantation, or infusion into a human recipient of either (a) live cells, tissues, or organs from a
nonhuman source, or (b) human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex vivo contact
with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or organs.”41 Under FDA guidelines, transplantation
therapy involving Bush approved stem cell lines, which all have been exposed to mouse feeder
cells, would constitute xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation products are subject to
regulation by the FDA under Section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 262) and the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 USC 321 et seq.). FDA has developed guidance
documents and the U.S. Public Health Service has developed guidelines on infectious disease
issues associated with xenotransplantation.42
During a Senate hearing on stem cell research held by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee on September 5, 2001, the HHS Secretary stated that the FDA was overseeing 17
investigational protocols involving xenotransplantation in other areas of clinical research that
involve patients. Therefore, he said, the xenotransplantation-related public health concerns over
the human embryonic stem cell lines may not necessarily preclude the development of treatments
for patients. While the problems presented by xenotransplantation for clinical research are neither
unique to stem cell research nor insurmountable, many scientists believe it will be preferable to
use sterile cell lines when attempting to treat patients via stem cell transplantation, and scientists
have been successful in developing human embryonic stem cells that can be maintained without
the use of mouse feeder cells.43
 ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱŽ’œ›¢ȱ
The August 9, 2001, Bush Administration policy statement on stem cell research and the NIH
Stem Cell Registry effectively replaced the NIH stem cell guidelines that were developed under
the Clinton Administration and never fully implemented. Grant proposals for embryonic stem cell
research undergo only the normal peer-review process without the added review of the HPSCRG
as had been specified under the Clinton NIH stem cell guidelines. In February 2002, NIH
announced the approval of the first expenditures for research on human embryonic stem cells.
Funding for stem cell research by NIH is shown in Table 1. The NIH website provides additional
information about current stem cell activities and funding opportunities.44

41 Xenotransplantation Action Plan: FDA approach to the regulation of xenotransplantation. Available at
http://www.fda.gov/cber/xap/xap.htm.
42 These documents are available at http://www.fda.gov/cber/xap/xap.htm.
43 National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future
Research Directions
, June 2001, pp. 95-96; Susanne Rust, “UW Grows Animal-Free Stem Cell Lines,” The Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel
, January 2, 2006, p. A1.
44 See http://stemcells.nih.gov/research/funding/.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŘȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
The NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry lists stem cell lines that are eligible for use in
federally funded research and currently available to be shipped to scientists.45 As shown in Table
2
, the NIH registry originally listed universities and companies that had derived a total of 78
human embryonic stem cell lines which were eligible for use in federally funded research under
the August 2001 Bush Administration policy. However, many of these stem cell lines were found
to be either unavailable or unsuitable for research. As of May 4, 2007, the NIH registry listed a
total of 21 stem cell lines available from six sources.
Table 1. National Institutes of Health Funding
($ in millions)
Stem Cell Research
FY04
FY05
FY06
FY07
FY08
FY09
Human
Embryonic
24 40 38 42 42 41
Non-Human
Embryonic
89 97 110 106 105 105
Human
Non-Embryonic
203 199 206 203 203 203
Non-Human
Non-Embryonic
236 273 289 306 305 306
Human Cord Blood/Placenta
(16)
(15)
(16)
(19)
(19)
(19)
Non-Human Cord Blood/Placenta
(3)
(3)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(2)
Total, Stem Cell Research
553
609
643
657
656
655
Source: NIH Budget Office, February 5, 2008.
Table 2. NIH List of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines
Eligible for Use in Federal Research Number of stem cell lines
Namea
Eligible
Available
BresaGen, Inc., Athens, GA
4
3
Cell & Gene Therapy Institute (Pochon CHA University), Seoul, Korea
2

Cellartis AB, Goteborg, Sweden
3
2
CyThera, Inc., San Diego, CA
9
0
ES Cell International, Melbourne, Australia
6
6
Geron Corporation, Menlo Park, CA
7

Goteborg University, Goteborg, Sweden
16

Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
6
0
Maria Biotech Co. Ltd.—Maria Infertility Hospital Medical Institute, Seoul, Korea
3

MizMedi Hospital—Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
1
0
National Center for Biological Sciences/Tata Institute of Fundamental Research,
Bangalore, India
3
Reliance Life Sciences, Mumbai, India
7


45 Information about the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry is available at http://stemcells.nih.gov/research/
registry/index.asp.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗřȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
Number of stem cell lines
Namea
Eligible
Available
Technion University, Haifa, Israel
4
3
University of California, San Francisco, CA
2
2
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Madison, WI
5
5
Total
78 21
Source: http://stemcells.nih.gov/research/registry/eligibilityCriteria.asp.
a. Six table entries do not have stem cell lines available for shipment to U.S. researchers because of a variety
of scientific, regulatory and legal reasons. The zeros entered in the “Available” column indicate that “the
cells failed to expand into undifferentiated cell cultures.”
ŠŽȱŠ œȱ‘ŠȱŽœ›’ŒȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ŚŜȱ
Many states restrict research on aborted fetuses or embryos, but research is often permitted with
consent of the parent or parents. Almost half of the states also restrict the sale of fetuses or
embryos. Louisiana is the only state that specifically prohibits research on in vitro fertilized (IVF)
embryos. Illinois and Michigan also prohibit research on live embryos. Arkansas, Indiana,
Michigan, North Dakota and South Dakota prohibit research on cloned embryos. Virginia may
also ban research on cloned embryos, but the statute may leave room for interpretation because
human being is not defined. (There may be disagreement about whether human being includes
blastocysts, embryos or fetuses.) California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have laws that prohibit cloning for the purpose of initiating a
pregnancy, but allow cloning for research.
Several states limit the use of state funds for cloning or stem cell research. Missouri forbids the
use of state funds for reproductive cloning but not for cloning for the purpose of stem cell
research, and Maryland’s statutes prohibit state-funded stem cell researchers from engaging in
reproductive cloning. Arizona law prohibits the use of public monies for reproductive or
therapeutic cloning. Nebraska statutes limit the use of state funds for embryonic stem cell
research. Restrictions only apply to state healthcare cash funds provided by tobacco settlement
dollars. State funding available under Illinois Executive Order 6 (2005) may not be used for
reproductive cloning or for research on fetuses from induced abortions.
Despite restrictive federal and state policies, several states (California, Connecticut, Illinois,
Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin,
Virginia) are encouraging or providing funding for stem cell research (adult, embryonic, and in
some cases SCNT as well), as they seek to remain competitive and prevent the relocation of
scientists and biotechnology firms to other states or overseas.

46 The information in this section was obtained from “State Embryonic and Fetal Research Laws,” updated January
2008 on the National Council of State Legislatures website, at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/genetics/
embfet.htm, visited July 8, 2008.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŚȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
˜—ŒŽ›—œȱŸŽ›ȱŒŒŽœœȱ˜ȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱ’—Žœȱ
Many scientists, disease advocates and others remain concerned that federally supported research
on human embryonic stem cells is limited to the number of cell lines that meet the criteria of the
August 9, 2001 Bush policy. As stated above, currently 21 cell lines are available for research
with federal dollars. Because the pre-August 9 cell lines were developed in the early days of
human stem cell research using older 1990s techniques, the cell lines not only have the problems
of xenotransplantion (described in the previous section on FDA regulation), but they are harder to
work with, not well characterized, and genetically unstable compared to newer stem cell lines. In
reaction to the limitations imposed by the Bush policy, several U.S. research groups have decided
to develop additional human embryonic stem cell lines using private funding. Some research
groups are using state funds as well. In order to perform this work, the research groups considered
it necessary to build a new laboratory so that the group’s federally funded research would be
conducted separately from research on the new stem cell lines.
˜›• ’Žȱž›ŸŽ¢ȱ˜ȱŽ–ȱŽ••ȱ’—Žœȱ
A worldwide survey of laboratories conducted by the Boston Globe found that as of May 23,
2004, 128 human embryonic stem cell lines had been created since August 9, 2001; all would be
ineligible for use in federally funded research under the Bush policy on stem cell research.47
A more recent survey of the number of human embryonic stem cell lines was released in June
2006.48 The survey found that as of January 1, 2006, 414 human embryonic stem cell lines had
been created in at least 20 countries. The authors of the survey state that “only limited data on
characterization of these cell lines are publicly available. Currently it is not clear whether all lines
are indeed pluripotent human embryonic stem cell lines.” Database searches performed by the
survey authors found that “derivation and at least partial characterization of only 43.2% of these
cell lines have been published in peer-reviewed journals.... Publication in a peer-reviewed journal
provides some information about the human embryonic stem cell-like characteristics, but it does
not provide absolute certainty on their quality.”
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽŽ›œȱ˜—ȱžœ‘ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ
In response to concerns over access to human embryonic stem cell lines, in April 2004, a group of
over 200 Members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to President Bush requesting that
the Administration revise the current stem cell policy and utilize the embryos that are created in
excess of need during the treatment of infertile couples.49 The letter points out that an estimated
400,000 frozen IVF embryos50 “will likely be destroyed if not donated, with informed consent of
the couple, for research.” According to the letter,

47 Gareth Cook, “94 New Cell Lines Created Abroad since Bush Decision,” Boston Globe, May 23, 2004, p. A14.
48 Anke Guhr, et al., “Current State of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An Overview of Cell Lines and Their
Use in Experimental Work,” Stem Cells 2006, v. 24, p. 2187-2191, found at http://www.StemCells.com.
49 See http://www.house.gov/degette/news/releases/040428.pdf.
50 A survey conducted in 2002 and published in 2003 by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and RAND
determined that nearly 400,000 frozen embryos are stored in the United States, but most are currently targeted for
patient use. See David I. Hoffman et al., “Cryopreserved Embryos in the United States and Their Availability for
(continued...)
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗśȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
scientists are reporting that it is increasingly difficult to attract new scientists to this area of
research because of concerns that funding restrictions will keep this research from being
successful. ... We have already seen researchers move to countries like the United Kingdom,
which have more supportive policies. In addition, leadership in this area of research has
shifted to the United Kingdom, which sees this scientific area as the cornerstone of its
biotech industry.
Under the direction of the White House, NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni sent a letter in response
to the House Members which restates the Bush Administration position against using federal
funds for research involving the destruction of human embryos.51 The letter from NIH Director
Zerhouni did contain the following sentence which some observers believed in 2004 indicated a
potential future policy shift: “And although it is fair to say that from a purely scientific
perspective more cell lines may well speed some areas of human embryonic stem cell research,
the president’s position is still predicated on his belief that taxpayer funds should not ‘sanction or
encourage further destruction of human embryos that have at least the potential for life.”52 At the
time, White House spokesperson Claire Buchan stated that the sentence did not indicate the
president’s position had changed. Supporters of stem cell research point out that it concedes that
science could benefit from additional stem cell lines and that the president’s position now rests
solely on ethical arguments.
A letter signed by 58 Senators urging President Bush to expand the current federal policy
concerning embryonic stem cell research was sent on June 4, 2004.53 The letter states that
“despite the fact that U.S. scientists were the first to derive human embryonic stem cells,
leadership in this area of research is shifting to other countries such as the United Kingdom,
Singapore, South Korea and Australia.”
On July 14, 2004, HHS Secretary Thompson announced in a letter to Speaker of the House
Dennis Hastert that NIH would establish Centers of Excellence in Translational Stem Cell
Research.54 The new centers are to investigate how stem cells can be used to treat a variety of
diseases. A National Embryonic Stem Cell Bank is to collect in one location many of the stem cell
lines that are eligible for federal research funding. In the letter to Speaker Hastert, Secretary
Thompson stated that “before anyone can successfully argue the stem cell policy should be
broadened, we must first exhaust the potential of the stem cell lines made available with the
policy.”55 In reaction to the announcement, the President of the Coalition for the Advancement of
Medical Research stated that “creating a bank to house stem cell lines created before August 2001
does nothing to increase the wholly inadequate supply of stem cell lines for research.”56 On
October 3, 2005, NIH announced that it had awarded $16.1 million over four years to the WiCell
Research Institute in Wisconsin to fund the National Stem Cell Bank.57 NIH also awarded $9.6

(...continued)
Research,” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 79, May 2003, pp. 1063-1069.
51 Rick Weiss, “Bush’s Stem Cell Policy Reiterated, but Some See Shift,” The Washington Post, May 16, 2004, p. A18.
52 Letter from Elias A. Zerhouni, Director, National Institutes of Health, to The Honorable Diana DeGette and The
Honorable Michael Castle, May 14, 2004.
53 See http://feinstein.senate.gov/04Releases/r-stemcell-ltr.pdf.
54 Andrew J. Hawkins, “NIH Stem Cell Bank, Centers of Excellence Will Fast-Track Translational Research, Says
Thompson,” Washington FAX, July 15, 2004.
55 Ibid.
56 Ibid.
57 NIH Press Office, “NIH Awards a National Stem Cell Bank and New Centers of Excellence in Translational Human
(continued...)
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŜȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
million over four years to fund two new Centers of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell
Research, one at the University of California, Davis and the other at Northwestern University.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŒ’˜—œȱ
Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱ
Members of the 110th Congress indicated weeks prior to the start of the new Congress that they
would address the topic of stem cell research early in the first session. This prediction was
fulfilled; stem cell research was one of the topics addressed in the first 100 hours of the 110th
Congress.
H.R. 3 (DeGette), the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, was introduced on
January 5, 2007, with 211 cosponsors. The House passed H.R. 3 by a vote of 253 to 174 on
January 11, 2007. The text of H.R. 3 is identical to legislation introduced in the 109th Congress,
H.R. 810 (Castle). It would amend the Public Health Service Act by adding a new Section 498D,
“Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” The new section would direct the Secretary of HHS to
conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells regardless of the date on
which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Stem cell lines derived after enactment
must meet ethical guidelines established by the NIH. Only embryos that were originally created
for fertility treatment purposes and in excess of clinical need are eligible for stem cell derivation.
Only embryos that the individuals seeking fertility treatments have determined will not be
implanted in a woman, and will be discarded, are eligible for stem cell derivation. Written consent
is required for embryo donation. The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of NIH, shall
promulgate guidelines 60 days after enactment. No federal funds shall be used to conduct
research on unapproved stem cell lines. The Secretary shall annually report to Congress about
stem cell research.
A companion bill, S. 5 (Reid), was introduced on January 4, 2007, with 30 cosponsors. A star
print of S. 5 was ordered on March 29, 2007,58 and the measure laid before Senate by unanimous
consent on April 10, 2007. On April 11, 2007, the Senate passed S. 5 (Reid) by a vote of 63 to 34.
The House passed S. 5 on June 7, 2007, by a vote of 247 to 176. President Bush vetoed the bill on
June 20, 2007, and signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to “conduct and support research on the isolation, derivation, production and testing of
stem cells that are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body
any may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health
conditions, but are derived without creating a human embryo for research purposes or destroying,
discarding, or subjecting to harm a human embryo or fetus.”59

(...continued)
Stem Cell Research,” October 3, 2005, http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2005/od-03.htm. The website for WiCell and
the National Stem Cell Bank can be found at http://www.wicell.org/.
58 The star print of S. 5 is identical to S. 997 (Harkin). S. 997 (Harkin) was introduced on March 27, 2007.
59 The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, “Executive Order: Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in
Ethically Responsible Ways,” June 20, 2007, found at
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/print/20070620-6.html].
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŝȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
The text of S. 5 is the same as H.R. 3, except that the Senate bill contains an added provision that
would direct the Secretary of HHS to conduct and support research on alternative human
pluripotent stem cells. This added provision is similar to H.R. 322 and portions of S. 30 (see
below). S. 5 would amend the Public Health Service Act by adding a new Section 498E,
“Alternative Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research.” S. 5 would require the Secretary of HHS to
develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, and testing of stem cells that are
capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of a developing body, and may result in
improved understanding of treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but that
are not derived from a human embryo. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary, after
consulting with the Director of NIH, would be required to (1) provide guidance concerning the
next steps required for additional research, including the extent to which additional basic or
animal research is required; (2) prioritize research that holds the greatest potential for near-term
clinical benefit; and (3) take into account techniques outlined by the President’s Council on
Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research. The Secretary would be required to
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report describing the
activities and research conducted. The only difference between the added provision in S. 5 and
H.R. 322 is the definition of the term human embryo. S. 5 would define “human embryo” as
having the same meaning as found within the applicable appropriations act with respect to the
fiscal year in which research is to be supported. S. 5 authorizes such sums as may be necessary
for FY2008 through FY2010.
S. 30 (Coleman), the Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research Act,
or HOPE Act
, was introduced on March 29, 2007. On April 11, 2007, the Senate passed S. 30
(Coleman) by a vote of 70 to 28. Parts of S. 30 are similar to H.R. 322 (and therefore similar to
parts of S. 5 as well). S. 30 would amend the Public Health Service Act by adding a new Section
498D, “Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research.” The bill would require the Secretary of HHS to
develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that have the
flexibility of embryonic stem cells and that may result in improved understanding of treatments
for diseases and other adverse health conditions. Such work will not involve the creation of a
human embryo for research purposes or the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a
human embryo other than those that are naturally dead. Naturally dead is defined as having
naturally and irreversibly lost the capacity for integrated cellular division, growth, and
differentiation that is characteristic of an organism, even if some cells of the former organism
may be alive in a disorganized state.
Within 90 days of enactment of S. 30, the Secretary, after consulting with the Director of NIH,
would be required to (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional
research, including the extent to which additional animal research is required; (2) prioritize
research that holds the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; (3) take into account
techniques outlined by the President’s Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques
and research; and (4) in the case of stem cells from a naturally dead embryo, require certain
assurances from the researchers. The Secretary would be required to prepare and submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress an annual report describing the activities and research
conducted. The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary to carry out Section 498D. Lastly,
S. 30 would direct the Secretary of HHS to contract with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to
conduct a study to recommend an optimal structure for an amniotic and placental stem cell bank
program. The IOM is to complete the study and submit a report to HHS and Congress no later
than 180 days after enactment.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŞȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
H.R. 322 (Bartlett), the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act of
2007
, was introduced on January 9, 2007. The text of H.R. 322 is similar to legislation introduced
in the 109th Congress, H.R. 5526 (Bartlett) and S. 2754 (Santorum). H.R. 322 would amend the
Public Health Service Act by adding a new Section 409J, “Alternative Human Pluripotent Stem
Cell Research.” The bill would require the Secretary of HHS to develop techniques for the
isolation, derivation, production, and testing of stem cells that are capable of producing all or
almost all of the cell types of a developing body, and may result in improved understanding of
treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but that are not derived from a human
embryo. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary, after consulting with the Director of NIH,
would be required to (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional
research; (2) prioritize research that holds the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and
(3) take into account techniques outlined by the President’s Council on Bioethics and any other
appropriate techniques and research. The Secretary would be required to prepare and submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report describing the activities and research
conducted. The bill would define term human embryo as any organism not protected as a human
subject under part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, as of the bill’s date of enactment,
that is derived by fertilization, ftlineparthenogenesis, cloning, or any other means from one or
more human gametes or human diploid cells. The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary
for FY2008 through FY2010. H.R. 322 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
H.R. 457 (Paul), the Cures Can Be Found Act of 2007, was introduced on January 12, 2007. It
amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for (1) an amount equal to the contribution
paid by the taxpayer within the tax year to stem cell research or storage facilities; (2) $2,000 for
each umbilical cord blood donation made by the taxpayer within the tax year. The bill allows
credits only for donations to facilities that do not engage in research on stem cells derived from
human embryos. H.R. 457 allows a business tax credit for stem cell research and storage
expenses. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
H.R. 1892 (Lipinski), the National Amniotic and Placental Stem Cell Bank Act of 2007, was
introduced on April 17, 2007. The bill would amend the Public Health Service Act directing the
Secretary of HHS to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a National Amniotic and
Placental Stem Cell Bank. The bill would authorize $60 million for the period of FY2008 through
FY2012. H.R. 1892 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 2807 (Forbes), the Patients First Act of 2007, was introduced on June 21, 2007. The bill
would amend the Public Health Service Act directing the Secretary of HHS to conduct research to
develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing, and human clinical use of
stem cells that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other
adverse health conditions, prioritizing research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical
benefit in human patients, provided that such isolation, derivation, production, testing, or use will
not involve (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction of or
discarding of, or risk of injury to, a living human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell, the
derivation or provision of which would be inconsistent with standards (1) or (2). The bill would
direct the Secretary to develop guidelines on the conduct of such research. The bill would require
the Secretary to develop an annual report to Congress on such research. H.R. 2807 was referred to
the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
S. 51 (Isakson), the Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapy Enhancement Act of 2007, was introduced
on January 4, 2007. It would amend the Public Health Service Act requiring the Secretary of HHS
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗşȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of pluripotent stem cells
that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells for the improved understanding of, or treatments
for, diseases and other adverse health conditions. Such techniques must not involve (1) the
creation of a viable human embryo for research purposes; or (2) the destruction or discarding of a
human embryo or embryos; or (3) knowingly subjecting a human embryo or embryos to risk of
injury or death greater than that allowed for federal research on fetuses in utero under current law.
The bill would require the Secretary to (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required
for additional research; (2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical
benefit; and (3) take into account techniques outlined by the President’s Council on Bioethics and
any other appropriate techniques and research. S. 51 was referred to the Senate HELP Committee.
S. 362 (Coleman), the Stem Cell Research Expansion Act, was introduced on January 23,
2007. The bill states that HHS may provide funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines
created prior to January 23, 2006, that does not result in the use of federal funding to destroy an
embryo or embryos. S. 362 was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee.
S. 363 (Coleman), the Hope Offered through Principled, Ethically-Sound Stem Cell
Research Act
, was introduced on January 23, 2007. The bill directs the Secretary of HHS to
conduct research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, and testing of
pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells. Such research will not
involve the creation of human embryos for research purposes or the destruction or discarding of
human embryos. Research may include methods that use cells derived from altered nuclear
transfer or cells derived from organismically dead embryos; adult stem cells from various
sources; the direct reprogramming of adult cells; and the derivation of stem cells from human
germ cells and other methods that do not harm or destroy human embryos. Within 90 days of
enactment, the Secretary will issue final guidelines that provide the next steps required for
additional research, prioritize research, and take into account techniques outlined by the
President’s Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research. The bill
establishes a National Stem Cell Research Review Board, which will monitor research, prioritize
research, and ensure fair consideration of both embryonic stem cell and adult stem cell research
for funding. The bill also contains provisions on informed consent, privacy of individually
identifiable information, and a prohibition on profiteering from commerce involving human
embryos. The bill authorizes $5 billion for research for FY2008 through FY2017. S. 363 was
referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
S. 957 (Burr), the Amniotic Fluid and Placental Stem Cell Banking Act of 2007, was
introduced on March 22, 2007. The bill provides for the collection and maintenance of amniotic
fluid and placental stem cells for the treatment of patients and research. S. 957 was referred to the
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
As stated earlier, some stem cell investigations may require the creation of a chimera, an
organism that contains two or more genetically distinct cell types, from the same species or
different species. Chimeras have been created by scientists in a variety of different ways and have
been the subject of research studies for many years. Human chimeras occur naturally when two
eggs become fertilized and, instead of developing into twins, fuse in the uterus creating a single
embryo with two distinct sets of genes.
S. 2358 (Brownback), the Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act of 2008, was introduced on
November 15, 2007. The bill would prohibit and set penalties for (1) creating or attempting to
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŘŖȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
create a human-animal hybrid (a being with human and non-human tissue); (2) transferring or
attempting to transfer a human embryo into a non-human womb, or a non-human embryo into a
human womb; or (3) transporting or receiving for any purpose a human-animal hybrid. S. 2358
was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. A companion bill, H.R. 5910 (Smith), was
introduced on April 24, 2008, and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
S. 2863 (Vitter), the Ethical Stem Cell Research Tax Credit Act of 2008, was introduced on
April 15, 2008. The bill would allow a tax credit for 30% of expenses incurred for carrying out
basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing,
and human clinical use of stem cells that may result in improved understanding of or treatments
for diseases and other adverse health conditions. The bill would prohibit a tax credit for any
research expenses that may involve (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2)
the destruction of or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a human embryo; or (3) the use of any
stem cell for prohibited purposes. S. 2863 was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
•˜—’—ȱ
S. 812 (Hatch), the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2007, was
introduced on March 8, 2007. The text of S. 812 is identical to legislation introduced in the 109th
Congress, S. 876 (Hatch). S. 812 would amend Title 18 of the United States Code to ban human
reproductive cloning but allow cloning for medical research purposes, including stem cell
research. S. 812 includes a criminal penalty of imprisonment of not more than 10 years and a civil
penalty of not less than $1 million. S. 812 would require the Comptroller General to prepare a
series of four reports within one year of enactment. The first report describes the actions taken by
the Attorney General to enforce the prohibition on human reproductive cloning, the personnel and
resources used to enforce the prohibition, and a list of any violations of the prohibition. A second
report describes similar state laws that prohibit human cloning and actions taken by the state
attorneys general to enforce the provisions of any similar state law along with a list of violations.
A third report describes the coordination of enforcement actions among the federal, state and
local governments. A fourth report describes laws adopted by foreign countries related to human
cloning.
S. 812 would amend the Public Health Service Act by requiring that human SCNT be conducted
in accordance with the ethical requirements (such as informed consent, examination by an
Institutional Review Board, and protections for safety and privacy) contained in subpart A of 45
C.F.R. Part 46,60 or Parts 50 and 56 of 21 C.F.R.61 S. 812 would prohibit conducting SCNT on
fertilized human eggs (oocytes), and would implement a “Fourteen-Day Rule” that an
“unfertilized blastocyst shall not be maintained after more than 14 days from its first cell division,
aside from storage at temperatures less that zero degrees centigrade.” S. 812 stipulates that a
human egg may not be used in SCNT research unless the egg is donated voluntarily with the
informed consent of the woman donating the egg. The bill also specifies that human eggs or
unfertilized blastocysts may not be acquired, received or otherwise transferred for valuable
consideration if the transfer affects interstate commerce. In addition, SCNT may not be conducted
in a laboratory in which human eggs are subject to assisted reproductive technology treatments or

60 This provision specifies protections due to human beings who participate in research conducted or supported by HHS
and many other departments.
61 This provision specifies protections due to human beings who participate in research involved in testing a drug or
medical device for FDA approval.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Řŗȱ

Ž–ȱŽ••ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘DZȱŽŽ›Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱž—’—ȱŠ—ȱŸŽ›œ’‘ȱ
ȱ
procedures, such as in vitro fertilization for the treatment of infertility. Violation of the provisions
in S. 812 regarding ethical requirements would result in a civil penalty of not more than
$250,000. S. 812 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
S. 1036 (Brownback), the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007, was introduced on March
29, 2007. The text of S. 1036 is identical to legislation introduced in the 109th Congress, S. 658
(Brownback). It would amend Title 4 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 289 et seq.)
and ban the process of human cloning as well as the importation of any product derived from an
embryo created via cloning. Under this measure, cloning could not be used for reproductive
purposes or for research on therapeutic purposes, which would have implications for stem cell
research. S. 1036 includes a criminal penalty of imprisonment of not more than 10 years and a
civil penalty of not less than $1 million. It would require the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) to conduct a study to assess the need (if any) for any changes in the prohibition on cloning
in light of new developments in medical technology, the need for SCNT to produce medical
advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views on the use of SCNT, and potential
legal implications of research in SCNT. The study is to be completed within four years of
enactment. S. 1036 has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee.
H.R. 2560 (DeGette), the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007, was introduced on June 5,
2007. It would amend the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by adding a prohibition on human
reproductive cloning. Human cloning is defined as the implantation of the product of human
SCNT technology into a uterus or the functional equivalent of a uterus. The bill sets a criminal
penalty of not more than 10 years in prison and a civil penalty of the greater of $10 million or 2
times “any gross pecuniary gain derived from such violation.” On June 6, 2007, the House failed
to pass H.R. 2560 by a vote of 204 to 213.
H.R. 2564 (Weldon), the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007, was introduced on June 5,
2007. H.R. 2564 would amend Title 18 of the United States Code and would ban the process of
human cloning, as well as the importation of any product derived from an embryo created via
cloning. Under this measure, cloning could not be used for reproductive purposes or for research
on therapeutic purposes, which would have implications for stem cell research. H.R. 2564
includes a criminal penalty of imprisonment of not more than 10 years and a civil penalty of not
less than $1 million. H.R. 2564 is very similar to the measure that passed the House in the 107th
Congress (H.R. 2505) and the 108th Congress (H.R. 534). H.R. 2564 includes a list of 14 findings
that were not part of the earlier bills. H.R. 2564 was referred to the House Committee on the
Judiciary.
H.R. 4157 (Broun), the Sanctity of Human Life Act, was introduced on November 13, 2007.
The bill declares that (1) the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human
and is the person’s paramount and most fundamental right; (2) each human life begins with
fertilization, cloning, or its functional equivalent, at which time every human has all legal and
constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood; and (3) Congress, each state, the District of
Columbia, and all U.S. territories have the authority to protect all human lives. H.R. 4157 was
referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Two similar bills, S. 3111 (Wicker), the Life at
Conception Act
, and H.R. 618 (Hunter), the Right to Life Act, were introduced on June 11,
2008, and January 22, 2007, respectively. The bills declare that the right to life guaranteed by the
Constitution is vested in each human being beginning at the moment of fertilization, cloning, and
other moment at which an individual comes into being. S. 3111 was referred to the Senate
Judiciary Committee; H.R. 618 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
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ž‘˜›ȱ˜—ŠŒȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ

Judith A. Johnson
Erin D. Williams
Specialist in Biomedical Policy
Specialist in Public Health and Bioethics
jajohnson@crs.loc.gov, 7-7077
ewilliams@crs.loc.gov, 7-4897




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