President Obama President Obama Loosens Restrictions on Loosens Restrictions on

Embryonic Stem Cell Embryonic Stem Cell ResearchResearchRachel KylloRachel Kyllo

3/11/093/11/09

Sources: msnbc.com, Sources: msnbc.com, startribune.comstartribune.com

OverviewOverview

Embryonic Stem Embryonic Stem Cells: Cells: pluripotentpluripotent

Common source: Common source: fertility clinicsfertility clinics

Previous RestrictionsPrevious Restrictions

Federally-funded labs’ use of ES cells Federally-funded labs’ use of ES cells was limitedwas limited

Privately-funded research continuedPrivately-funded research continued This involved establishment of 100s This involved establishment of 100s

of new linesof new lines

The Proposed BillThe Proposed Bill

Does NOT fund creation of new linesDoes NOT fund creation of new lines Allows labs that work with new lines Allows labs that work with new lines

to apply for federal funding through to apply for federal funding through NIHNIH

CritiquesCritiques

ES Cells = life?ES Cells = life? Histocompatibility issuesHistocompatibility issues

– RejectionRejection– Graft-versus-host diseaseGraft-versus-host disease

Significant advances with adult stem Significant advances with adult stem cellscells– Induced pluripotent stem cells Induced pluripotent stem cells