Date: September 12, 2001
To: NIH Intramural Scientists
From: Deputy Director for Intramural Research
Subject: Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
This message is sent to update you on NIH's efforts to implement the President's recent decision to permit federal funding of research using embryonic stem (ES) cells that meet specific criteria. The NIH is moving quickly to ensure access to these cells and to allow intramural scientists, for the first time, to conduct human ES cell research.
However, at this time, no human embryonic stem cell research may be conducted at the NIH, by NIH staff, or using NIH materials or equipment. Our policies on ES cell research are posted in the Intramural Sourcebook: <http://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/oversight/oversight-irp-toc.htm>
On August 17, 2001, NIH released a statement about plans to support human ES cell research <http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/082701list.htm> In accordance with this statement and the President's announcement of August 9, 2001 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html>:
1. NIH-supported scientists may not obtain or begin work on any human ES cells until the NIH has established a registry of human ES cell lines which are eligible for NIH funding. The web-based NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry will contain the latest information on available cells that NIH investigators may request for use in intramural research. Please e-mail inquiries about stem cells to: stemcell@mail.nih.gov
2. Thanks to the efforts of NIH's Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) and other NIHers, the Public Health Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WiCell Research Institute, Inc. <http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2001/od-05.htm>. The MOU will permit NIH-supported scientists to conduct research on all primate ES cells covered by WiCell's patents.
OTT, your ICs' Technology Development Coordinators, and the Scientific Directors are now working out procedures by which intramural scientists may request and use approved ES cells. We will keep you informed as these procedures are established.