AACR Decries Federal Stem Cell Funding Ban

Speaking out against the recent Federal District Court injunction blocking all federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) reiterates its support for this field of research.

The AACR is the oldest and largest cancer research organization in the world today, and its experts have brought about, or helped discover, numerous advancements in the understanding and treatment of cancers.

The Association recognizes the vital importance of conducting responsible research on human embryonic stem cells (ESC), and says that this line of investigation must not be blocked on any grounds.

Recently, a judge banned all federal funds for ESC research because two scientists felt they were being discriminated against, and objected to embryonic stem cell funding on ethical grounds.

As such, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American organization that provides funding for stem cell research, is legally blocked from contributing to the advancement of research that is crucial for regenerative medicine.

“As stated in our 2005 policy statement on stem cell research, we believe that reasonable, ethical stem cell exploration is a crucial component of scientific discovery,” explains in a statement the chief executive officer of the AACR, Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (h.c.).

“Human embryonic stem cell research may lead to new biological insights that offer avenues for the development of promising new therapies for cancer patients,” she adds.

“This decision will slow the important research that has the potential to save lives from cancer and will significantly affect the ability of the United States to be a leader in this cutting-edge field of science,” she adds.

Japan has been the leader in stem cell research, and the United States were barely begin to catch up when the new decision was passed on. It's still unclear whether the injunction is valid retroactively.

“We believe the NIH’s human embryonic stem cell research policies are sound, ethical, and responsible,” adds Nobel Prize laureate and AACR president Elizabeth H. Blackburn, PhD.

“Stem cell research is part of a multifaceted approach to understand the biology of cancer and develop new ways to combat the 200 diseases collectively called ‘cancer',” she adds.

“It is disconcerting that the scientists who were given the opportunity to pursue important research questions through the investigation of stem cells, not their creation, have now been stopped in their tracks,” Blackburn concludes.

Read more about the ban here.