STATEMENT ON HUMAN EMBRYONIC
STEM CELL RESEARCH
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society believes that research utilizing human embryonic
stem cells holds promise for improving treatments for a wide range of diseases, including
cancer. Researchers indicate that embryonic stem cells may play an important role in
improving our understanding of cancer, enhancing strategies for testing new cancer
drugs, and treating the long-term effects of cancer therapy. In addition, there is potential
to utilize stem cell research on juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and
other diseases.
The Society recognizes that this research, which relies on human embryos and fetal
material, raises ethical issues. The Society believes that the federal government must take
a strong role in setting a high ethical standard for stem cell research and therefore
endorsed the guidelines on stem cell research issued by the National Institutes of Health
in August 2000.
On August 9, 2001, an Executive Order of the President modified and restricted the
regulations governing human embryonic stem cell research in which the federal
government was the sponsor. In essence, the order permits federal funds to be used for
research on embryonic stem cell lines on the condition that the lines were in existence
prior to said Executive Order. Research with federal funds can be conducted on these
lines only if 1) the embryonic cell line was derived from samples that had been frozen
expressly for the purpose of reproduction, 2) the donors gave explicit permission for the
use of their fertilized egg for research, and 3) the donor received no financial
inducements to give permission. The Society supports federally funded research on
human embryonic stem cells to ensure that promising research opportunities are fully
explored for the benefit of patients.
Society-sponsored research programs currently concentrate on stem cells from the blood
or marrow of living donors. If, in the future, any Society-sponsored research programs
involve embryonic stem cells, those programs should adhere to federal guidelines by
limiting such research to stem cells derived from embryos that have been frozen for
reproductive purposes, and to embryos from donors who have given permission for their
use in research and have not received a financial inducement to do so.
The Society hopes that the potential benefit of embryonic stem cell research for the
treatment of human disease is realized. If such research shows promise for advancing
treatments or cures for blood-related cancers, the Society’s position is to support Society
sponsored research within the guidelines stated above, but not to limit that research to the
date on which the stem cell line was established.
The Society notes that research using human embryonic stem cells is in its very early
stages. New research developments, opportunities and challenges will invariably
continue in the years to come. Consequently, the Society urges a federal policy of
continual review of these guidelines to reflect and accommodate the scientific,
humanitarian and ethical implications of developments in this field.
Similarly, monitoring of this matter should be continued by appropriate Society standing
committees, particularly the Public Policy, Patient Services, and Medical and Scientific
Committees to determine if changes in Society policy are required.
September, 2001
For more information, contact The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Office of Public
Affairs at 703-535-6650 or by e-mail at: dahlmang@southern.leukemia-lymphoma.org,
or contact The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapter in your state or congressional
district.
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