As the House takes up S. 5, here is a fact sheet to give you a summary of the legislation.
S.5 The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
S.5 acts to expand the current policy on embryonic stem cell research within strict ethical guidelines while encouraging NIH to fund research into new techniques to create non-embryonic pluripotent stem cells. S. 5 will allow NIH to conduct meaningful research on all forms of ethical stem cell research -- adult, cord blood, amniotic, and embryonic.
Dr. Story Landis, Chair of the NIH Stem Cell Task Force, testified before Congress in January of this year that to produce the best scientific results all doors to cures must be opened and that research must be allowed on all forms of stem cells. S. 5 opens all doors to stem cell research.
The Parkinson's Action Network fully supports passage and enactment of this legislation.
Legislative History
- S.5 contains all of the provisions, word for word, passed by the House of Representatives in its version of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 3) on January 11, 2007. H.R. 3 passed the House by a vote of 253 to 174.
- The Senate amended S.5 to include the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, a bill passed by the Senate without opposition in the 109th Congress.
- The additional provisions from S. 2754 reiterate existing federal authority and encourage the Secretary of HHS to support and promote the development of pluripotent stem cell lines derived from adult stem cells. The original authors of the bill (S.2754 in the 109th Congress) were Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Rick Santorum (R-PA). The bill was strongly supported by the President.
- The Senate version of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S.5) passed the Senate on April 11, 2007 by a vote of 63 to 34. The three senators who were not present for the vote have all indicated their support of the bill.
BILL SUMMARY
This bill expands the number of stem cell lines that are eligible for federally funded research, thereby accelerating scientific progress toward treatments and cures for a wide range of diseases and debilitating health conditions.
Under the current federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research, only those stem cell lines derived before August 9, 2001, are eligible for federally funded research. This bill lifts that restriction. Stem cell lines shall be eligible for federally funded research regardless of the date on which they were derived.
The bill also institutes stronger ethical requirements on stem cell lines that are eligible for federally funded research.
SECTION BY SECTION
Section 1 - SHORT TITLE.
Section 2 - HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH.
Section 3 - ALTERNATIVE HUMAN PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL RESEARCH.
Section 1 - SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007'.
Section 2 - HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH.
The bill would allow federal research on stem cells that have been derived from embryos ONLY if the following requirements are met:
(1) The stem cells were derived from human embryos that have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the clinical need of the individuals seeking such treatment.
(2) Prior to the consideration of embryo donation and through consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded.
(3) The individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and without receiving any financial or other inducements to make the donation.
The bill further directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the NIH, to issue guidelines 60 days after enactment. The guidelines shall ensure that federally funded researchers adhere to ethical considerations. The Secretary must also report annually to Congress about NIH stem cell research.
Section 3 - ALTERNATIVE HUMAN PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL RESEARCH.
The bill further enumerates that NIH shall conduct research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that, like embryonic stem cells, are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body and may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but are not derived from a human embryo.
The bill also directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the NIH, to issue final implementation guidelines that will:
(1) Provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research;
(2) Prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and
(3) Considers techniques outlined by the President's Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research.
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