09 March 2009

Obama Lifts Ban on Government-Funded Stem Cell Research

President aims to "restore scientific integrity” to government policies

President Obama speaks prior to signing an executive order on stem cells and a presidential memorandum on scientific integrity.

By Daniel Gorelick
Staff Writer

Washington — Promising vigorous support for scientists, President Obama signed an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. He also issued a memorandum to "restore scientific integrity in government decision making."

The order, issued March 9, directs the head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to review and update guidelines for funding “responsible, scientifically worthy” human embryonic stem cell research within 120 days and revokes previous executive orders and instructions issued by President George W. Bush that prohibited federal funding for such research. (See “Obama’s Executive Order on Research Involving Human Stem Cells.”)

Flanked by prizewinning scientists, Obama pledged the U.S. government would develop and enforce strict guidelines for stem cell research. He also said that cloning for human reproduction, a technique possible with human embryonic stem cells but never achieved and illegal in many countries, will never be allowed in the United States. “It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society,” Obama said. (See “Remarks by Obama at Signing of Stem Cell Executive Order.”)

In lifting the ban on human embryonic stem cell research, the president has “legitimized and destigmatized an important area of science,” Peter Agre, one of several prominent scientists who shared the stage with Obama, told America.gov. Agre, who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2003, is president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Obama said the promise of stem cells to cure disease should not be overstated. “Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek. No president can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek them — actively, responsibly and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground.”

SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY

Honoring a promise made during his presidential campaign, Obama directed the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision-making.

“Promoting science isn’t just about providing resources — it’s also about protecting free and open inquiry,” Obama said. “It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda — and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.”

According to the memorandum, “the public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions.”

The memorandum directs that selection of candidates for science and technology positions in government be based on the candidate’s “knowledge, credentials, experience, and integrity.” All scientific information used by the government should be reviewed according to “well-established scientific processes, including peer review when appropriate,” and should be made public.

President Obama is applauded by scientists and members of Congress after signing an executive order on stem cells.

Obama also instructed each government agency to recommend ways to identify and address breaches in scientific integrity and adopt procedures, such as whistleblower protections, to ensure integrity.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has 120 days to submit its recommendations to the president.

"President Obama also made clear today that his commitment to decisions based on science instead of ideology extends beyond stem cell research — tasking every agency to ensure that sound science is at the heart of decisions we make,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement. “From energy to environmental protection to health care reform, Americans will be well served by this approach.”

STEM CELL CONSENSUS

Scientists applauded Obama’s executive order, saying that this could enhance collaboration between stem cell researchers in the United States and their international counterparts.

The new policy "sends a message internationally that [NIH-funded researchers] can collaborate with people," stem cell researcher John Gearhart told Science magazine.

During his administration (January 2001 – January 2009), President Bush allowed the NIH to fund human embryonic stem cell research on cell lines created before August 9, 2001, but prohibited research on cell lines created after that date. The executive order signed by President Obama lifts that restriction.

“By doing this, we will ensure America’s continued global leadership in scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs,” Obama said. “That is essential not only for our economic prosperity, but for the progress of all humanity.”

According to Obama, “the majority of Americans, from across the political spectrum and from all backgrounds and beliefs, have come to a consensus that we should pursue this research; that the potential it offers is great, and with proper guidelines and strict oversight, the perils can be avoided.”

The audience included Republicans and Democrats from Congress, as well as scientists who have made pioneering breakthroughs in stem cell research such as James Thomson from the University of Wisconsin and Shinya Yamanaka from Kyoto University in Japan.

Obama “wisely” reminded people of the limitations in stem cell research, Agre said, pointing out that federal funding for stem cell research provides an opportunity for discovery, but does not guarantee it.

“Now the hard work begins,” Agre said, “and that’s in the laboratories.”