ISSCR Members Advocate for Stem Cell Research at 2023 U.S. Congressional Advocacy Day
On 2 March, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) led a delegation of 20 members from across the U.S. to Capitol Hill to advocate for the importance of fetal tissue research, increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the potential of chimeric embryo research. The delegation met with nearly 40 congressional offices, including key staffers on House and Senate committees responsible for regulating biomedical research, to discuss the impact these issues have on scientific advancement and public health.
The delegation renewed ISSCR’s leadership role in defending responsible fetal tissue research by providing Congress with updated information on how research with fetal tissue advances scientific knowledge and catalyzes the development of new medical technologies. Members also highlighted the many discoveries that fetal tissue research has already yielded, including the development of vaccines against diseases such as polio, rubella, measles, chickenpox, shingles, and rabies. The delegation urged Congress to oppose policies that would restrict or defund this critical, life-saving research.
The delegation also stressed the need for increased funding for the NIH. They explained that the NIH is the backbone of the biomedical research enterprise, and that sustained, predictable funding is essential to advance scientific discoveries and improve public health. Increases to funding will support the development of new treatments, the recruitment of talented researchers, and the creation of jobs in the life sciences sector.
Lastly, the delegation informed Congress of the the potential of chimeric embryo research. Though this research is in its infancy, it has the potential to revolutionize transplantation medicine by providing a limitless source of transplantable organs for patients in need. This research is also useful in testing the safety and efficacy of cellular therapies for neurological conditions like ALS and Parkinson’s Disease. Members urged Congress to support policies that would encourage rather than limit the responsible pursuit of chimeric embryo research.
This was ISSCR’s first in-person U.S. Congressional Advocacy Day since 2019. Overall, the event was a success, with productive discussions on issues of importance to our members and the larger biomedical sciences community. The delegation expressed their gratitude to Congress for their support and pledged to continue advocating for these vital issues in the future.