A Victory for Stem Cell Research and Patients

Today, patients suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and heart disease and their families got good news when a federal judge ruled in favor of the government in a lawsuit challenging the Obama Administration’s work to support stem cell research.

While we don’t know exactly what stem cell research will yield, scientists believe this research could treat or cure diseases that affect millions of Americans every year. That’s why President Obama has long fought to support responsible stem cell research.

Less than three months after taking office in 2009, the President signed an Executive Order that removed barriers to responsible scientific research involving human stem cells. The previous Administration allowed the National Institutes of Health to fund human embryonic stem cell research on cell lines created before an arbitrary date, August 9, 2001, but prohibited research on cell lines created after that date. The Executive Order signed by President Obama lifted this restriction.

Since then, scientists and experts in the private sector and at the National Institutes of Health have been investigating new responsible research opportunities with stem cell lines that adhere to the new guidelines, but were not available to experts under the old restrictions.

For too long, patients and families have suffered from debilitating, incurable diseases and we know that stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans across the country. President Obama is committed to supporting responsible stem cell research and today’s ruling was another step in the right direction.

Stephanie Cutter is Assistant to the President and Deputy Senior Advisor