Stem cells

Critical Step Forward For Stem Cell Research; Congratulates the NIH on approving the use of the first human embryonic stem cell lines under new guidelines

December 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin today congratulated the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on approving the use of thirteen human embryonic stem cell lines under the new ethical guidelines adopted this past July.

Senator Harkin chairs the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds health research initiatives and the Senate health committee. He has been a long-time leader in the fight to lift restrictions on stem cell research.    » read more »

Applauds Announcement of NIH Research That Could Lead to Life-Saving Discoveries

December 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA – 05) made the following statement today after Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced that the NIH has approved thirteen embryonic stem-cell lines for use by U.S.-funded researchers:    » read more »

DeGette and Castle Praise Renewed Investment in Stem Cell Research

02 December 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Michael Castle (R-DE), the chief architects of bipartisan stem cell research legislation, released the following joint statement on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) approval of the first batch of stem cell lines in accordance with the Guidelines issued in July:    » read more »

Findings by Scripps Research Scientists Brighten Prospects of Stem Cell Therapy for Range of Diseases

LA JOLLA, CA – October 15, 2009 A team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has developed a method that dramatically improves the efficiency of creating stem cells from human adult tissue, without the use of embryonic cells. The research makes great strides in addressing a major practical challenge in the development of stem-cell-based medicine.

The findings were published in an advance, online issue of the journal Nature Methods on October 18, 2009.    » read more »

Summit one of most important life sciences conferences in world

October 15, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Detroit will host the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit organized by the Genetics Policy Institute.

The conference will take place October 4-6, 2010, at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. It will be co-hosted by Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.    » read more »

Scripps Research scientists correct gene defect in mice that causes lethal symptoms in children

LA JOLLA, CA, September 17, 2009—A recent study by Scripps Research Institute scientists offers good news for families of children afflicted with the rare genetic disorder, cystinosis. In research that holds out hope for one day developing a potential therapy to treat the fatal disorder, the study shows that the genetic defect in mice can be corrected with stem cell transplantation.    » read more »

Investment will help to develop New York’s new economy; Requests for applications for stem cell research released

July 8, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the availability of $21.5 million in State funding for stem cell research in New York State through the release of two Requests for Applications (RFAs). This latest investment underscores New York’s commitment to stem cell research and its potential to strengthen the State’s position as a national leader in biomedical research.    » read more »

Scientists Avoid Problems of Genetic Manipulation by Instead Using Chemical Programming

LA JOLLA, CA, April 23, 2009—A group of researchers at The Scripps Research Institute and other institutions have achieved a breakthrough in converting adult cells all the way back to the most primitive embryonic-like cells without using the dangerous genetic manipulations associated with previous methods.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- Oklahoma City - Citing misconceptions about pending legislation on stem cell research, Gov. Brad Henry announced late today his plan to veto House Bill 1326, legislation that would have made it a crime for a scientist to perform any form of embryonic stem cell research, the same kind of research supported by such pro-life, conservative leaders as Nancy Reagan and U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Although proponents billed it as a “pro-life” measure, the governor noted that HB 1326 does not address abortion in any manner or save a life.

“There are all kinds of misconceptions and misinformation about this issue, and that’s regrettable,” said Gov. Henry.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of California's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

April 17, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nearly $4 billion is now available for California under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. California will be eligible to apply for another $2 billion this fall. Today's funding is being made available per California's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available April 1. California is the first state to be approved for the first round of state stabilization funding.    » read more »

San Francisco, CA - 04/12/2009 - A team of UCSF researchers has for the first time used tiny molecules called microRNAs to help turn adult mouse cells back to their embryonic state. These reprogrammed cells are pluripotent, meaning that, like embryonic stem cells, they have the capacity to become any cell type in the body.

The findings suggest that scientists will soon be able to replace retroviruses and even genes currently used in laboratory experiments to induce pluripotency in adult cells. This would make potential stem cell-based therapies safer by eliminating the risks posed to humans by these DNA-based methods, including alteration of the genome and risk of cancer.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- EXECUTIVE ORDER

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. Advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, leading to broad agreement in the scientific community that the research should be supported by Federal funds.    » read more »

(As prepared for delivery)

March 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.    » read more »

Washington, DC -- March 9, 2009 -- Listed below are the individuals who will attend today’s event.

Stage Participants

Energy Secretary Stephen Chu Dr. Peter Agre
Dr. Patricia Bath
Dr. H. Robert Horvitz
Dr. Janet Rowley
Dr. Harold Varmus

Dr. Peter Agre    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- Today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. Its time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore Americas place as the world leader in science and technology. - President Barack Obama

Today, in conjunction with the issuance of a new Presidential memo on scientific integrity, President Obama is signing a Presidential Executive Order removing barriers to responsible scientific research involving human stem cells.

This Executive Order by President Obama revokes the Executive Order signed by President Bush on June 20, 2007 and the Bush Presidential statement of August 9, 2001 that limited federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells.    » read more »