Policy

  • The ISSCR supports all forms of stem cell research, performed under rigorous and transparent oversight, and advocates that embryonic, adult, and reprogrammed stem cell research must move forward in parallel to best understand disease and identify treatment. Learn more.

  • The ISSCR promotes rigorous standards for research integrity, patient welfare, respect for research subjects, transparency, and social justice, as outlined in its Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation. Learn more.

  • The marketing of unproven treatments raises major ethical and integrity concerns and may jeopardize the safety of patients. Patient welfare and transparency in all communications are core principles of ISSCR advocacy. Learn more.

  • Established in 2019, this fellowship program honors ISSCR member Lawrence Goldstein, PhD, continuing his legacy by training ISSCR members to become policy advocates. Learn more.

“The people who understand the science have to explain it to the public and to policy makers or we will have policies that undermine public health and the development of new therapies.”
— Sean Morrison, PhD | 2022 Public Service Award

Support for Stem Cell Research and Funding

Related Advocacy and News

Featured
The ISSCR Submits Comments on New National Science Foundation Technology Directorate

On 27 July 2023, the ISSCR submitted comments in response to a Request for Information on Developing a Roadmap for the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) at the National Science Foundation, in accordance with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. This legislation tasks the TIP Directorate with developing a roadmap to guide investment decisions in use-inspired and translational research over a 3-year time frame, working towards the goal of advancing U.S. competitiveness in the identified key technology focus areas and addressing the identified societal, national, and geostrategic challenges.

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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.

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ISSCR Joins Coalition Letter to Support 5% Increase in NIH Funding for FY 2024

The ISSCR is among 373 members of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research who signed a joint letter in support robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For fiscal year (FY) 2024, the Ad Hoc Group recommends at least $50.924 billion for NIH’s foundational work, a $3.465 billion increase over the comparable FY 2023 program level.

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The ISSCR Endorses the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research’s FY 2023 Recommendations

To promote the sustained, robust growth necessary to make consequential progress against pressing health challenges, in fiscal year (FY) 2023, the Ad Hoc Group recommends a program level of at least $49.048 billion for the NIH base budget, which would represent an increase of $4.1 billion over the comparable FY 2022 funding level (an increase of $3.5 billion or 7.9% in the NIH appropriation plus funding from the 21st Century Cures Act for specific initiatives).

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Position

The ISSCR supports all forms of stem cell research, performed under rigorous and transparent oversight, and advocates that embryonic, adult, and reprogrammed stem cell research must move forward in parallel to best understand disease and identify treatment.

Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to make any cell type in the body in unlimited quantities. Research in this area is producing innovative new approaches to treat diseases that represent major public health problems, and cells derived from human embryonic stem cells are now being tested in clinical trials as treatments for diabetes, spinal cord injury, heart failure, macular degeneration and Stargardt’s macular dystrophy.

Fetal tissue research has been critical for scientific and medical advances that have saved the lives of millions of people, including the development of vaccines against polio, rubella, measles, chickenpox, adenovirus, rabies, as well as treatments for debilitating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and hemophilia.

The ISSCR supports rigorous funding to advance treatments for disease, protect investments in science, and ensure that the economy continues to benefit from the significant contributions that science and biomedical research provide.

Recent advances in stem cell research, gene therapy, genomics, and cancer biology have created unprecedented opportunities to create new treatments for human disease. However, decreased funding investments and budget cuts could slow the development of new cures and cause long-term damage to the international research infrastructure and to public health efforts around the world.

Promotion of Scientific Integrity and Ethical Research

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Featured
The ISSCR Responds to Ranking Member Cassidy’s Request for Information on NIH Reform

On 27 October 2023, the ISSCR submitted comments to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy’s Request for Information on reforming the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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The ISSCR Statement on New Research with Embryo Models

The ISSCR supports research with embryo models derived from human pluripotent stem cells that is conducted with scientific and ethical rigor. ISSCR encourages researchers to continue to follow the ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation when considering research in this emerging area. Recent work presented at the ISSCR 2023 Annual Meeting in Boston, USA this month and additional research posted online as preprints shortly thereafter highlights the rapid pace of progress in the development of stem cell-based embryo models. To aid public understanding of this progress and assist the media in accurate reporting, the ISSCR provides the following information.

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Position

The ISSCR promotes rigorous standards for research integrity, patient welfare, respect for research subjects, transparency, and social justice, as outlined in its Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation. At their core, the guidelines preserve the imperative for a specialized oversight process for research involving human embryos, in recognition of the unique sensitivities surrounding such research.

Responding to advances in science, the guidelines encompass a broader and more expansive scope of research and clinical endeavor than before, imposing rigor on all stages of the research, addressing the cost of regenerative medicine products, and highlighting the need for accurate and effective public communication.

Preventing the Marketing of Unproven Stem Cell Therapies

Related Advocacy and News

Featured
ISSCR Shares Concerns Regarding New Google Ads Policy

…the ISSCR is concerned that unscrupulous clinics may misuse the update to Google’s policy by promoting unproven therapies under the guise of distributing material that is “exclusively educational or informational in nature.” If so, this would harm consumers and public health.

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The ISSCR Comments on Draft Guidance from FDA - Real-World Data: Assessing Registries to Support Regulatory Decision-Making for Drug and Biological Products

The ISSCR shared comments on draft guidance from the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) (Docket No. FDA2021-D-1146) Real-World Data: Assessing Registries to Support Regulatory Decision Making for Drug and Biological Products.

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Position

The marketing of unproven treatments raises major ethical and integrity concerns and may jeopardize the safety of patients. Patient welfare and transparency in all communications are core principles of the ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, which help assure the public of the integrity of stem cell science and its translation to medicine. The ISSCR guidelines call for processing and manufacture of any cell product as well as the conduct of clinical trials to be performed under expert, independent review and oversight.

Established in 2019, the ISSCR fellowship program honors ISSCR member Lawrence Goldstein, PhD, for his longstanding commitment to policy and public service. Dr. Goldstein's advocacy before local, state, and national policy makers continues to make a significant impact on the field. The ISSCR’s policy fellowship program continues that legacy by training ISSCR members to become policy advocates.

Goldstein Science Policy Fellows serve a three year term, gaining firsthand policy and regulatory experience. They serve as ex-officio members of the Public Policy Committee, are invited attend advocacy days, take on self-directed special initiatives, have opportunities to speak in ISSCR programs, and receive mentorship from a member of the policy committee.

If you’re interested in joining the next cohort of policy fellows, please contact us.

Lawrence Goldstein Science Policy Fellowship Program

2022-25 Goldstein Policy Fellows

Justin Brumbaugh, PhD
University of Colorado, Boulder, USA

Tamra Lysaght, PhD
National University of Singapore, Singapore

2024 Congressional Advocacy Day

ISSCR leaders attended the 2024 Congressional Advocacy Day 13 March 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to advocate for stem cell research.

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