Stem Cell Research: Federal Research Funding and Oversight

Judith A. Johnson
Specialist in Biomedical Policy

Erin D. Williams
Specialist in Public Health and Bioethics

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, many scientists believe research should focus on all types of stem cells. 

On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that reversed the nearly eight-year old Bush Administration restriction on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. The Obama decision directed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to issue new guidelines for the conduct of embryonic stem cell research. Draft guidelines were released on April 23, 2009, and final guidelines were issued on July 6, 2009. In December 2009, NIH created a new registry of human embryonic stem cell lines that are eligible for use in research supported by federal funds under the 2009 guidelines. As of February 1, 2010, a total of 43 stem cell lines are listed in the new registry. 

In August 2001, President George W. Bush had 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 established a registry of 78 human embryonic stem cell lines eligible for use in federally funded research, but only 21 cell lines were available due to technical reasons and other limitations. Over time scientists became increasingly concerned about the quality and longevity of these 21 stem cell lines. These scientists believe that research advancement requires access to new human embryonic stem cell lines. 

In the 111th Congress, seven bills have been introduced on the topic of stem cell research but have received no further action. H.R. 873 (DeGette), the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2009, was introduced on February 4, 2009. The text of H.R. 873 is identical to legislation introduced in the 110th Congress, H.R. 3 (DeGette), and the 109th Congress, H.R. 810 (Castle). 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. Stem cell lines must meet ethical guidelines established by the NIH. H.R. 872 (DeGette), the Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009, was also introduced on February 4, 2009, and is similar to H.R. 873 but would require updates of the ethical guidelines every three years. S. 487 (Harkin), introduced on February 26, 2009, is the same as H.R. 873, except it has an additional section supporting research on alternative human pluripotent stem cells. It is identical to a bill introduced in the 110th Congress, S. 5 (Reid). Other bills introduced in the 111th Congress include H.R. 877, H.R. 1654, H.R. 2107, and S. 99. 

During the 110th Congress, the Senate passed legislation (S. 5) in April 2007 that would have allowed 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. The bill would have also provided support for research on alternatives, such as iPS cells. The House passed the bill in June 2007, and President George W. Bush vetoed it on June 20, 2007. (The 109th Congress passed a similar bill, which also was vetoed by President George W. Bush, the first veto of his presidency; an attempt to override the veto in the House failed.) On the related issue of human cloning, in June 2007 the House failed to pass a bill (H.R. 2560) that would have imposed penalties on anyone who cloned a human embryo and implanted it in a uterus.


Date of Report: February 1, 2010
Number of Pages: 27
Order Number: RL33540
Price: $29.95

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