Endocrine Insider
October 28, 2009

(See Full Issue)

At its October 23 meeting, The Endocrine Society’s Council approved a new position statement on stem cell research.  In its statement, The Endocrine Society supports the following positions:

• An increase in NIH funding for stem cell research;
• An increase in the number of embryonic stem cell lines for NIH-funded research;
• A broadening of the scope of federally funded research to include cells generated through somatic cell nuclear transfer;
• Availability of federal funding for the derivation of embryonic stem cells from discarded in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos and through somatic cell nuclear transfer;
• Adherence to the highest ethical and scientific research standards; and
• Federal oversight of embryonic stem cell research to assure ethical standards are always met.

The Society first issued a position statement on stem cell research after President Bush instituted policies that limited the number of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines eligible for federally funded research.  The Society has now revised its position in consideration of President Obama’s reversal of the Bush policy and of recent advances in the field of stem cell research.  Despite President Obama’s actions, current legislation and NIH guidelines continue to limit the scope of federally funded research on hESC.  The Endocrine Society will continue to advocate for its researcher members and for the advancement of science.

Society position statements are thoroughly vetted documents outlining the Society’s views on current and salient issues in the public policy arena.  Their intended audiences include policy makers and the media. The stem cell position statement was developed by the Research Affairs Core Committee in collaboration with the Advocacy and Public Outreach Core Committee.