Stem Cell Research

Publication Date: January 2001

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

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Abstract:

Recent actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) involving human embryonic stem cell research have rekindled debate over the difficult ethical and social issues surrounding embryo and fetal tissue research. Embryonic stem cells, which have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and cancer.

Following an HHS determination that the current ban on federal funding of human embryo research does not prohibit funding human embryonic stem cell research, NIH published guidelines for the support of such research in the Federal Register on August 25, 2000. However, some Members strongly disagree with the HHS decision and believe such research is banned by the rider that has been attached to each Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill since 1995. This report, which will be updated as needed, discusses the status of research and key issues associated with human embryonic stem cells.