WASHINGTON — When President Barack Obama eased limits on taxpayer-funded embryonic stem-cell research, the big question became how far scientists could go. Friday, the government answered: They must use cells culled from fertility clinic embryos that otherwise would be thrown away.
Draft guidelines released by the National Institutes of Health reflect rules with broad congressional support, excluding more controversial sources such as cells derived from embryos created just for experiments.
“We think this will be a huge boost for the science,” said acting NIH Director Raynard Kington. “This was the right policy for the agency at this point in time.”
The limit will disappoint some researchers who wanted to use a broader variety of cells. But it still means that perhaps hundreds more stem-cell lines will be available for government-funded study soon.
The guidelines are “a reasonable compromise based on where the science stands now,” said Dr. Sean Morrison, director of the University of Michigan Center for Stem Cell Biology. “We may need to revisit some of the details down the road depending on how the science develops.”
Scientists are trying to harness embryonic stem cells — master cells that can morph into any cell of the body — to one day create replacement tissues and better treat, possibly even cure, ailments such as diabetes, Parkinson’s and spinal-cord injuries.
Stem-cell research guidelines
What happened? The National Institutes of Health has released draft guidelines saying stem cells used in taxpayer-funded research must be culled from fertility clinic embryos that otherwise would be thrown away.
How is that a change? Culling those stem cells destroys a days-old embryo, a result opposed by many on moral grounds. The Bush administration had limited taxpayer- supported research to a small number of embryonic stem-cell “lines” or groups already in existence as of August 2001. Last month, President Barack Obama lifted that restriction.
Other NIH guidelines: The woman or couple who donate the original embryo must give proper informed consent. Also, the donation must be voluntary, without pressure from scientists.
What’s next? The NIH will accept public comments on the guidelines for a month and issue final rules by early July.
