• The on again, off again nature of federal funding for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research has created a great deal of uncertainty for academic scientists, major research medical centers, venture capital investors, biotechnology companies, and state legislatures and economic development officials.
• There is a great deal of concern that this uncertainty is holding back the field, driving innovation and intellectual capital overseas, and creating an unleveled playing field in which only a patchwork of states have been able to create favorable R&D environments for stem cell research.
• While some significant opposition to human embryonic stem cell research will likely continue, the recent refusal by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the Sherley v. Sebelius petition may very well signal some stability for this important research across the entire US.
• And with the legality of its funding policy now affirmed, NIH may move to amend and update its Stem Cell Guidelines, published in 2009, to reflect recent scientific and technological advances in the field.

» Read the full update.