14. Department of Health and Human Services · Notable
End NIH intramural fetal tissue research and the embryonic stem cell registry
Printed page 461 14. Department of Health and Human Services
“End intramural research projects using tissue from aborted children within the NIH, which should end its human embryonic stem cell registry.”
What has happened
- Partially done
The human embryonic stem cell registry was paused, not ended. NOT-OD-26-031 pauses NIH review and approval of applications to add new hESC lines to the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry while NIH assesses the scientific utility of hESCs, and says in terms that "previously approved hESC lines listed on the Registry may continue to be used in NIH-funded research." The registry still lists 503 approved lines and still exists, so the second limb of the ask is not delivered.
- Partially done
NIH ended intramural fetal tissue research from elective abortions. NOT-OD-26-028, effective on publication, provides that "NIH funds will not be permitted for research using HFT from elective abortions" and states expressly that the policy "applies to the NIH Intramural Research Program and all extramural research." That is the first limb of the ask. Tissue from miscarriage or stillbirth remains permitted.
Research log
What was searched, and what didn’t count as evidence
Research notes
- Two-limb ask, one limb delivered: an ask with two objects, only one of them achieved, is partial. Done would need the registry withdrawn, not paused.
- The related major-tier item #1218 carries NOT-OD-26-028 for the broader prohibition ask; this item is the narrower intramural-plus-registry version and cites the same notice with its own reading.
- Action
- eliminate
- Object
- NIH intramural fetal tissue research and human embryonic stem cell registry
- ID
- 1244