[20010110]RS20523_干细胞研究.pdf

Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20523Updated January 10, 2001Stem Cell ResearchJudith JohnsonDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryRecent actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and theNational Institutes of Health (NIH) involving human embryonic stem cell research haverekindled debate over the difficult ethical and social issues surrounding embryo and fetaltissue research. Embryonic stem cells, which have the ability to develop into virtuallyany cell in the body, may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes,Parkinsons disease, and cancer. Following an HHS determination that the current banon federal funding of human embryo research does not prohibit funding humanembryonic stem cell research, NIH published guidelines for the support of such researchin the Federal Register on August 25, 2000. However, some Members strongly disagreewith the HHS decision and believe such research is banned by the rider that has beenattached to each Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations billsince 1995. This report, which will be updated as needed, d