In the news

A group of scientists who want to carry out research on human embryonic stem cells have joined force with prominent patients such as actor Christopher Reeve to challenge the delay on federally funded stem cell research imposed by the Bush administration. Last year the National Institutes of Health issued guidelines specifying the conditions under which federal funds could be used for research on stem cells derived from human embryos (see article in September 200 newsletter). However, before the guidelines could be put into practice, incoming Secretary for Health and Human Service Tommy Thompson was asked to review them and the NIH was barred from implementing them pending the outcome of the review. Now the scientists and patients have mounted a joint legal challenge to this situation, claiming in their suit (against both the HHS and the NIH) that the NIH guidelines are legal and that the funding body is failing to carry out its statutory duty to support high-quality scientific research. The patients claim that the block on implementation of the guidelines is preventing research that could lead to benefits for people who have suffered spinal injuries or are affected by degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease. The government must respond to the complaint within 60 days.