Major Action on Stem Cells

Just now, President Obama issued an executive order allowing federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The move is a major step forward, which scientists and health advocates have been eagerly awaiting since President Obama took office.

President Obama opened the signing ceremony with these words:

Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.

Dr. Robert Lanza, a researcher from Advanced Cell Technology, perhaps summed up the emotions of the day best: “Hallelujah! This marks the end of a long and repressive chapter in scientific history.”

But amongst all the (long anticipated) celebration, let me offer a sobering thought: this is the first step in a long journey to new treatments and possibly cures for many debilitating diseases. It’s a critical step, but there are many other policy decisions that will impact whether promising research will become new therapies and cures that are available to patients. We need public policies that encourage innovation by protecting intellectual property, fully fund and staff the FDA, and provide adequate reimbursement so that innovative companies can continue to invest in new treatments that change patients’ lives.

It’s important that we, as the biotech community, both share in the celebration around this crucial step and remind policy-makers and the public that there is still much to be done. We are eager to do the work needed to translate promising research into real cures, but we need the support of people beyond our community to ensure that we can continue to make progress.

I urge you to have this conversation with your family and friends. You can also contact the White House to thank President Obama and urge him to continue to stand with the biotech community on the other critical policy decisions that we encounter on the road from research to cures.

We want to hear how this decision impacts you, so please post a comment and let us know.