House Bills - 108th Congress

H.R. 4682—The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

On June 24, 2004, Representative Mike Castle (R-DE) introduced H.R. 4682, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. The bill would permit the Secretary of HHS to conduct or support research utilizing human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date of derivation, as long as certain requirements are met. These are as follows: 1) the stem cells must have been derived from embryos created for the purposes of fertility treatment and in excess of clinical need, 2) prior to the consideration of embryo donation it must be determined that the embryo will never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded, and 3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment must have donated the embryos with written informed consent and without receiving any financial or other inducements to make the donation. The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of NIH, would be required to promulgate guidelines to carry out the provisions of the bill within 60 days of enactment of the Act. The bill has 26 cosponsors, including principal cosponsor Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Legislative Update (August 2004): Stem Cell Research