NIH prohibits stem cells from embryos created for science

[pepperbear]

Source: USA Today

The National Institutes of Health will fund human embryonic stem cell research on cells donated by fertility clinic patients, but won't underwrite studies in which embryos are created solely for producing cloned cells for treatments, the federal agency said Friday.

NIH also will not fund any cell research mixing human and animal embryonic cells, so-called "chimeras," under the guidelines.

"No question these guidelines will greatly expand the number of cells available for research," says acting-NIH head Raynard Kington. In March, President Obama called for increased federal support of embryonic stem cell research, and requested the NIH guidelines.

"We think this is the best way to pursue research which is ethically acceptable," Kington says. NIH spent $88 million on human embryonic stem cell research last year.


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-04-17-stem-cells_N.htm?csp=24&RM_Exclude=Juno

[roseBudd]

1. I don't have a problem with that

[alfredo]

2. Good. A step in the right direction.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. Sounds perfectly fine ........

I don't recall anyone ever claiming that embryos would be created for the express purposes of obtaining stem cells.

But then, I don't pay attention to the rightwingnuts, so that's how I probably missed it.

Now, whatever will they bitch about?

Oh, right.

Everything......................

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

4. How dare they restrict science. You mean to tell me there were ethical considerations.

I'm truly shocked.


David

[WriteDown]

5. Chimeras?

Why does that sound truly terrifying?

Although I've always thought I may have a few tortoise genes.

[sarah FAILIN]

6. I know..

I read that and it threw me for a loop. Would anyone ever consider something like that anyway? I decided it was one of those things where you think of the worst possible case and make a rule on it ahead of time just in case someone brings it up. Or it could be one of those things where you say you aren't going to do *this* to make what you are going to do look more acceptable.

Glad we have good things coming with the stem cells though...

[PaulaFarrell]

7. Human-animal chimeras have already been created

in China and elsewhere so it is a very real issue