Federal Policy

The President's Criteria

On August 9th, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that federal funds may be awarded for research using human embryonic stem cells if the following criteria are met:

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

NIH's Role

The NIH, as the Federal government's leading biomedical research organization, is implementing the President's policy. The NIH funds research scientists to conduct research on existing human embryonic stem cells and to explore the enormous promise of these unique cells, including their potential to produce breakthrough therapies and cures.

Investigators from 14 laboratories in the United States, India, Israel, Singapore, Sweden, and South Korea have derived stem cells from 71 individual, genetically diverse blastocysts. These derivations meet the President's criteria for use in federally funded human embryonic stem cell research. The NIH has consulted with each of the investigators who have derived these cells. These scientists are working with the NIH and the research community to establish a research infrastructure to ensure the successful handling and the use of these cells in the laboratory.

See Also:

• NIH Stem Cell Registry The list of international research organizations that have derived cell lines eligible for funding under the President's policy.
• Policy & Guidelines Documents An archive of policy statements and guidelines on federally funded stem cell research.
• NIH Stem Cell Task Force Meeting summaries from this group organized to promote stem cell research.
• Statements & Testimony Transcripts of Administration statements and Congressional testimony.
• Congressional Legislation Links to House and Senate bills relating to stem cell research.