Greg wrote earlier:"I may be wrong, but my interpretation of McCain's
stand on stem-cell research is that he is for it as long as no aborted
human embryos or fetal material is used."
Does anyone know exactly where any of the candidates, Republican and
Democrat stand in regards to the proposed guidelines on stem cell
research? I haven't been able to find any information on this -- the
only place I remember reading about McCain, was on this list. And it's
not clear what kind of stem cell research he opposes (see below). A
survey of candidates - not only for President, but of congressional
candidates as well could be very helpful to voters like us who are
especially concerned. Of course there are differing opinions on this
issue, but we all need to know the facts to make our own decisions.
The deadline for public comments to NIH is Feb 22. They can be emailed
to: [log in to unmask]
I thought the following Fact Sheet from the NIH gave a clear explanation
of the proposed guidelines. In case anyone is still deciding about
writing, I'm reposting it below.
In short, they would allow NIH funding for research utilizing two
types of stem cells, those derived (1) from early-stage embryos in
excess of clinical need donated by people who were undergoing fertility
treatment in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic or (2) stem cells
derived from non-living fetuses obtained from pregnancies that had been
terminated, in which case the research must be in compliance with all
existing laws and regulations governing human fetal tissue research. Also
federal funds cannot be used for the derivation of stem cells from human
embryos.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Office of the Director
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
Fact Sheet on Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Guidelines
The NIH is seeking public input on draft Guidelines for
NIH-supported
research involving human pluripotent stem cells. These draft
Guidelines recommend procedures to help ensure that NIH funded
research in this area is conducted in an ethical and legal manner.
The Promise of Stem Cell Research
* Human pluripotent stem cells are a unique scientific and
medical
resource in that they can divide for indefinite periods in
culture, and can develop into most of the specialized cells and
tissues of the of body, such as muscle cells, nerve cells,
heart
cells, blood cells.
* These human pluripotent stem cells were isolated using two
different methods. One group of scientists derived the
pluripotent stem cells from early-stage embryos in excess of
clinical need donated by people who were undergoing fertility
treatment in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic. Another
group of scientists isolated the pluripotent stem cells from
non-living fetuses obtained from pregnancies that had been
terminated.
Legal
* Federal law currently restricts the use of DHHS funds for human
embryo research. DHHS has determined, however, that the
Congressional restriction does not prohibit funding for
research
utilizing human pluripotent stem cells because such cells are
not
embryos. DHHS funds cannot be used for the derivation of stem
cells from human embryos.
Development of Stem Cell Guidelines
* In an effort to help ensure that any research utilizing human
pluripotent stem cells is appropriately and carefully
conducted,
the NIH convened a Working Group of the Advisory Committee to
the
Director (ACD), NIH to advise the ACD on guidelines and
oversight
for research involving human pluripotent stem cells. The
working
group was composed of scientists, patients and patient
advocates,
ethicists, clinicians and lawyers.
* In developing the draft guidelines, NIH considered advice from
the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC), the public,
and the Congress.
* Draft guidelines for this research will be published for public
comment in the Federal Register on December 2 , 1999. After
reviewing and considering all comments received, the NIH will
make revisions to the guidelines, as appropriate, and publish
the
final guidelines in the Federal Register. The draft guidelines
can be found on the Web at
http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/draftguidelines.htm.
* Until the final guidelines and the oversight process are in
place, the DHHS will not fund research using human pluripotent
stem cells derived from either human embryos or fetal tissue.
Draft NIH Guidelines
* The guidelines apply to research applications or proposals for
NIH funding or support that involve the utilization of human
pluripotent stem cells derived (without NIH funding) from early
human embryos and the derivation or utilization of human
pluripotent stem cells derived from human fetal tissue.
* HHS will fund research using human pluripotent stem cells
derived
from early human embryos only if investigators use cells
derived
from frozen embryos that were created for the purposes of
infertility treatment and were in excess of clinical need. In
addition, the investigator can offer no inducements, monetary
or
otherwise for the donation of the embryo and there must be a
clear separation between the infertility treatment and the
decision to donate embryos.
* With regard to deriving or using cells from fetal tissue,
investigators will be expected to follow the NIH Human
Pluripotent Stem Cell Guidelines and all laws and regulations
governing human fetal tissue research. Because cells derived
from
fetal tissue may later be utilized in human fetal tissue
transplantation research, NIH will fund this research only if
investigators comply with the fetal tissue transplantation
research statute.
* The Guidelines specify what should be contained in the informed
consent document for the donation of human embryos or human
fetal
tissue.
* In submitting an application or proposal for funding,
investigators will be required to provide documentation showing
compliance with the Guidelines. This documentation will be
submitted to a newly established Human Pluripotent Stem Cell
Review Group (HPSCRG). The review group will hold public
meetings
when a funding request proposes the use of a newly derived line
of human pluripotent stem cells. The HPSCRG will also compile a
yearly report which will include the number of applications
reviewed, and the titles of all awarded applications.
* The Guidelines state that no NIH funds may be used to derive
pluriptotent stem cells from human embryos.
* The Guidelines also address the other areas of research that
are
ineligible for funding, including studies in which human
pluripotent stem cells are: utilized to create or contribute to
a
human embryo; combined with an animal embryo; used for
reproductive cloning of a human; derived using somatic cell
nuclear transfer into a human or animal egg; derived using
somatic cell nuclear transfer into a human or animal egg;
derived
from human embryos created for research purposes.
FROM: http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/index.htm
