NIH
approves
first human embryonic stem cell research under new rules
Washington D.C. - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Wednesday
approved the first experiments on human embryonic stem cells under the
Obama administration’s new research policy.
The NIH authorized 11 stem cell lines produced by scientists at the
Children’s Hospital in Boston and two cell lines created by researchers
at Rockefeller University in New York, the Washington Post reports. The
cell lines were obtained from embryos “left over” by couples who sought
fertility treatments.
“This is a real change in the landscape," NIH Director Francis Collins
said, according to the Washington Post.
He characterized the move as a “first down payment” that will “empower
the scientific community to explore the potential of embryonic stem
cell research."
Collins, who is an evangelical Christian, claimed there is an argument
that the research is ethically acceptable “even if you believe in the
inherent sanctity of the human embryo.”
Proponents of stem cell research hope to use adult or embryonic stem
cells to create better treatments for ailments ranging from diabetes to
spinal cord injuries.
Human embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) requires the destruction of
human embryos.
Richard M. Doerflinger of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB) criticized the NIH action.
“Ethically, we don't think any taxpayer should have to fund research
that relies on destroying early human life at any stage,” he told the
Washington Post. “But the tragedy of this is multiplied by the fact
that no one can think what the problem is that can only be solved by
these cells.”
Collins reported that the 13 cell lines approved on Wednesday met the
requirements finalized by the NIH in July. Another 96 lines are
awaiting approval, including 20 that will be considered by the advisory
committee on Friday. At least 254 more will be submitted for approval.
The NIH has authorized 31 grants totaling about $21 million for
research on human embryonic stem cells pending their approval under the
new guidelines, the Washington Post says.
Many embryonic stem cell researchers hope to use the $10 billion the
NIH received as part of the U.S. government’s economic stimulus
package, Collins reported.
President George W. Bush had funded embryonic stem cell research on
cell lines created before August, 2001 but barred funding on research
which used cell lines created afterward.
President Obama overturned the Bush policy in March 2009.
The new NIH rules allow the funding of research which uses stem cells
harvested from fertility clinic embryos and also outline informed
consent standards for women or couples who donate their embryos.
In May Msgr. David Malloy, then the General Secretary of the USCCB,
criticized the NIH guidelines for ESCR. He said they were "broader or
more permissive” than previous policy in key respects.
“We are testing the limits of our obligation to treat all fellow human
beings, of every age and condition, with basic respect,” he commented,
saying it is a human right not to be subjected to harmful
experimentation.
In a Wednesday statement, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell
noted that the announcement “marks an historic departure from our
nation’s longstanding position of neutrality on embryo-destructive
research.”
“For the very first time in U.S. history, the federal government will
now use taxpayer dollars to pay for research that relies on and
promotes the destruction of human life at its earliest stages.
Americans may disagree about the morality of embryo-destructive
research. But one thing we should all agree on is that taxpayers should
not be compelled to pay for it.”
Source:
CNA
Publish
Date:
December 3, 2009
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