International Society for Stem Cell Research Urges U.S. Government to Make New Stem Cell Lines Eligible for Federal Research Funding

In the March 3, 2004, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, Professor Douglas Melton of Harvard University reported the generation of 17 new pluripotent embryonic stem cell lines that he will make freely available to stem cell researchers worldwide. The 17 new cell lines are well-characterized, have excellent growth characteristics, and appear to have substantial advantages for high quality and rigorous research. This is an important development for stem cell research.

The new cell lines more than double the existing number of human embryonic stem cell lines that are currently available to researchers, and the offer by the Melton group to provide them without charge will lower the barriers to entry for new investigators to work in this important area of research. The availability of these new cell lines is particularly welcome given that the number of existing cell lines eligible for federal funding is far fewer than the 60-odd lines originally proclaimed by President Bush on August 9, 2001.

The availability of many fewer cell lines than was originally announced underscores the urgent need for the Administration and the Congress to expand the eligibility criteria for Federal funding of research with pluripotent stem cell lines. The ISSCR urges the Congress and the Administration to work together to expand the eligibility criteria for research funding to include these new lines. Such an expansion would send a message of hope to the many Americans suffering from diseases that could be helped by research with these new cell lines.

Posted March 22, 2004