News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343

Statement by Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the New NIH Stem Cell Research Plan

In 2001 the President outlined a balanced and principled stem cell research policy.  Since that time, this Administration has provided more than $3 billion to research a wide variety of stem cells.

On June 20, 2007, the President issued an Executive Order, directing me to work with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to accelerate our efforts to conduct and support stem cell research in accord with the policy he established in 2001.  This plan is the road map to implement that order.

NIH has developed a sound, ambitious strategy to advance pluripotent stem cell research and generate more opportunities in this critical area.  I sincerely hope that these steps will accelerate the discovery of new cures and treatments.

 

Note:  The NIH plan, entitled “Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways,” is available online at www.nih.gov.

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Last revised: March 26, 2009