Executive Summary

Executive Summary 1

Stem Cell Research : An Executive Summary

A major scientific and medical breakthrough recently is stem cell research . The amazing thing about stem cells is their capacity to develop into any type of cell within the human body or remain stem cells . Derived from human embryos or human fetal tissue , they are also capable of replicating and renewing themselves . With its high therapeutic potential to any type of disease condition , it has been studied for almost a decade now with the concept that it can replace worn out and

destroyed cells and restore the health and well-being of an individual . However , despite of its benefits in the field of Medicine stem cell research has been in constant deliberation by many sectors of society relative to its ethical , religious and political implications

On August 9 , 2001 , after a ban on embryo research was declared President George W . Bush re-evaluated this decision and thus required a set of criteria which must be met in to implement a stem cell research . According to the National Institutes of Health (2006 , the criteria included the following

The derivation process (which begins with the destruction of the embryo was initiated prior to 9 :00

.M . EDT on August 9 , 2001

The stem cells must have been derived from an embryo that was created for reproductive purposes and was no longer needed

Informed consent must have been obtained for the donation of the embryo and that donation must not have involved financial inducements (para 1

The major implementing body of stem cell research is the National Institutes of Health (NIH ) being the Federal government 's chief biomedical research organization . Funding for research on human embryonic (pluripotent ) stem cell is disbursed by NIH that is why interested

Executive Summary 2

parties request for this supplementary budget along with their proposal from the NIH as long as it is eligible according to the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells effective August 25 , 2000

To evaluate a stem cell research , the NIH created a team called the Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Review Group (HPSCRG . The constituents of this working group assess the documentation of the research proposals submitted requesting for federal funding for studies and experiments on human pluripotent stem cells . A Scientific Review Group was also formed to measure if these proposals have scientific significance and if such would be an asset to science . Furthermore , the NIH comes up with an annual report of all the applications and proposals submitted and approved , funding which are permitted by the government , and other projects conducted . The HPSCRG also function by recommending to the NIH any revisions or policy re-evaluation or amendments on the Guidelines for Research Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

With the advent of further stem cell research , on the greater side enthusiasts have lifted their hopes that existing deadly diseases would soon be given relief through this scientific innovation . Though this issue is still continuously debated despite approved policies...