Since 1998, the volume of research being conducted using human embryonic
stem (hES) cells has expanded primarily using non-federal funds because of
restrictions on the use of federal funds for such research. Given limited
federal involvement, hES cell research has thus far been carried out under
a patchwork of existing regulations, many of which were not designed with
this research specifically in mind. In addition, hES cell research touches
on many ethical, legal, scientific, and policy issues that are of concern
to the public.
2005 Guidelines
|
In 2005, the National Academies released the report
Guidelines for Human
Embryonic Stem Cell Research, which offered a common set of ethical
standards for the field. The report provided guidelines for the conduct of
hES cell research that were intended to address both ethical and scientific
concerns and to enhance the integrity of hES cell research by encouraging
responsible practices in the conduct of that research.
|
 |
Advisory Committee
In order to keep the Guidelines up to date, given the rapid pace of scientific
developments in the field of stem cell research, the National Academies also
established the
Human
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee in 2006 with support from
The Ellison Medical Foundation, The Greenwall Foundation, and the Howard Hughes
Medical Institute.
2007 Amendments
2008 Amendments
|
The Advisory Committee issued additional amendments to the Guidelines in 2008,
which are available in the report 2008
Amendments to the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research.
The amendments offered in this report include guidance in response to recent scientific
advances enabling the derivation of human stem cells from nonembryonic tissues, including
cells known as "induced pluripotent stem cells," and clarification on the types of expenses
that can be reimbursed to women donating eggs for stem cell research.
|
|
Future deliberations of the committee will address items
for which additional information gathering and more extensive debate and discussion
will be necessary.
The current (2008 amendments) version of the Guidelines can be read or downloaded for free from
National Academies Press.
