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Funding Questions1. Who funds stem cell research? 1. Who funds stem cell research? Stem cell research can be funded by private, state or federal dollars. But, traditionally, the federal government is the largest single funder of research. In fiscal year 2008, for example, federal research grants to biomedical researchers totaled more than $29 billion. However, at the federal level, the 1996 Dickey-Wicker Amendment continues to ban the use of federal funds for the creation of human embryos for research purposes or for research in which human embryos are destroyed. In essence, this law continues to block the use of federal funds for the creation of new stem cell lines. It does not, however, prevent federal funding to be used for research on those stem cells lines if they are created using non-federal funds. The Dickey-Wicker Amendment can only be overturned by congressional action. 2. Why is it important that the federal government fund this research? The majority of research in the U.S. is conducted with federal funding, and the federal government has played a tremendously important role in many of our most significant scientific discoveries. In contrast to research conducted with private funding, federally funded research is subject to federal oversight, ensuring the work meets the highest ethical standards and adheres to all federal rules and regulations. Because of the Bush administration’s ban against using federal funds for research on stem cell lines developed after August 2001, many U.S. researchers moved overseas or formed foreign partnerships. In addition, many foreign countries with more liberal policies were ahead of the U.S. in some stem cell research. But the recent release of federal dollars by the Obama administration will undoubtedly put the U.S. back in the leadership position for this critical research. This is important because research in the U.S. is closely scrutinized, ethical and transparent. Human research subjects are protected by some of the most stringent regulations in the world. 3. What is the advantage of federal funding for stem cell research? There are several advantages of federal funding for stem cell research. First, federal funding allows many more scientists, including our nation's most prominent researchers, to conduct this critical research, which will hasten the discovery of therapies. Second, federal funding will ensure public oversight and accountability among researchers receiving federal grants because the grant applications are thoroughly screened before money is awarded and the ongoing research and outcomes are closely monitored. Grant recipients adhere to strict guidelines that do not govern private sector research. Finally, they must publish their outcomes in peer-reviewed publications assuring transparency and close scrutiny of their work. |
Basic Questions
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