Stem Cell Research and Applications: Scientific, Ethical, and Policy Issues

President Obama Signs Executive Order, "Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells" Click here to view the Executive Order. AAAS writes to President Obama Click here to link to letter. STEM CELL REPORT AAAS/ICS Stem Cell Report Findings and Recommendations of the AAAS/ICS Report AAAS/ICS Public Forum Agenda For more information: Science Editorial NBAC Report Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion Program For additional information on stem cells, please check the AAAS Center for Science, Technology & Congress site or contact Mark Frankel.

In the face of extraordinary advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases, devastating illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease, continue to deprive people of health, independence, and well-being. Research in human developmental biology has led to the discovery of human stem cells (precursor cells that can give rise to multiple tissue types), including embryonic stem (ES) cells, embryonic germ (EG) cells, and adult stem cells. Recently, techniques have been developed for the in vitro culture of stem cells, providing unprecedented opportunities for studying and understanding human embryology. As a result, scientists can now carry out experiments aimed at determining the mechanisms underlying the conversion of a single, undifferentiated cell, the fertilized egg, into the different cells comprising the organs and tissues of the human body. Although it is impossible to predict the outcomes, scientists and the public will gain immense new knowledge in the biology of human development that will likely hold remarkable potential for therapies and cures.

Derivation of ES cells from early human embryos, and EG stem cells from aborted fetal tissues raise ethical, legal, religious, and policy questions that are the subject of ongoing public debate. As a contribution to that debate, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Institute for Civil Society, produced a series of recommendations for conducting stem cell research in an ethical manner.

AAAS and ICS recognize that there are varied social, political, ethical, and religious viewpoints to be considered in discussions about the scientific use of tissue from human embryos and fetuses. Scientists do not presume to know all the answers and ramifications of basic research in human stem cells. Therefore, it is important to promote continued dialogue among all segments of society concerning the implications of human stem cell research.

The complete report of the AAAS/ICS study is available here (PDF).