House of Representatives Approves Legislation to Expand Federal Embryonic Stem Cell Research Opportunities

May 25, 2005 – The House of Representatives approved the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810) by a 238 to 194 vote late yesterday. This legislation would expand the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research by allowing federal funding on stem cell lines derived after August 9, 2001. HR 810 also establishes strict ethical guidelines for this field of research by requiring that federal funds not be used to derive stem cells or destroy embryos. House approval of this bill is a huge step forward for efforts to expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.

From the beginning, ASH has been actively involved in this issue. The Society is a member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), the nation’s most vocal proponent of the use of regenerative medicine to cure disease and alleviate suffering. ASH was also one of the first and few physician organizations that has been at the forefront of the debate over federal research funding of embryonic stem cells.

ASH developed a policy statement in response to the Bush Administration’s policy that federal funds could only be used to study embryonic stem cells lines derived by August 9, 2001. While it originally appeared that 78 embryonic stem cell lines would be available for research under this policy, only 22 lines are currently available. Moreover, all of the eligible stem cell lines are contaminated with mouse feeder cells, making their therapeutic use for future human trials extremely unlikely. In addition, the cell lines eligible for federal funding are difficult to obtain; they are expensive to purchase and there are contractual intellectual property issues surrounding their distribution. These factors have all contributed to hold the entire field of embryonic stem cell research at a virtual standstill since August 2001.

In addition to approving the embryonic stem cell bill, the House also overwhelmingly approved legislation (HR 2520) that authorizes $79 million to expand the collection and storage of umbilical cord blood stem cells. In addition, HR 2520 reauthorizes the National Marrow Donor Registry Program and establishes a database to help physicians and investigators access cord blood stem cells and bone marrow to use in treatment and research.

The Senate is expected to take up the embryonic stem cell bill (S 471) within the next two months; although President Bush has reiterated his intention to veto this legislation, Representatives Michael Castle (R-DE) and Diana DeGette (D-CO)—the two House champions of the bill—are optimistic that a compromise can be reached with the White House.

ASH's embryonic stem cell research advocacy campaign generated hundreds of e-mails from across the country to the House of Representatives. However, House passage of this bill was only the first step in making expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research a reality. The Society will continue to work with Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA), the primary Senate sponsors of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, to ensure approval of this legislation in the Senate. ASH is counting on its membership to continue demonstrating solid grassroots support of HR 810/S 471 until it is signed into law. The Society will keep you informed about future opportunities to participate in embryonic stem cell research advocacy campaigns.

If you have questions, or need more information, please contact ASH Government Affairs Manager Jeff Coughlin at (202) 776-0544.