Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Dear Advocacy Leaders,

There is some important and wonderful news to share regarding the future of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Sherley v. Sebelius lawsuit, which challenged the Obama Administration’s 2009 guidelines on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.  The Supreme Court’s ruling in response to an appeal by the plaintiffs in the case, Dr. James Sherley and Dr. Theresa Deisher, was issued without comment or dissent and allows federal funding of these studies to continue. Today’s ruling also effectively brings the lawsuit, originally filed in 2010, to an end.  Because of the Supreme Court’s ruling, scientists can now proceed with studies knowing that the Obama Administration’s policy on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research will remain in place. 

This is a great victory for researchers and for the 105 million adults and children with, or at risk for, diabetes, because of the great promise that stem cell research, especially human embryonic stem cell research, holds for fostering improved care for people with diabetes and ultimately a cure for this disease. The American Diabetes Association joined with other organizations in opposition to the original lawsuit, including participating in a friend of the court brief in support of continuing embryonic stem cell research and we actively monitored developments in the court battle.

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Special Diabetes Program Passed

Special Diabetes Program reauthorization passed both the Senate and the House and is on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law! 

Your meetings with Members of Congress, phone calls and emails kept this alive and got us to the finish line! The reauthorization renews the Special Diabetes Program for one year at the current funding level of $150 million for the type 1 diabetes program and $150 million for the program focused on diabetes in Native American and Alaska Native communities.

 This is a major victory for people affected by diabetes. Our nation’s most effective federal initiative to Stop Diabetes® and its complications, the Special Diabetes Program has made real advances in diabetes research, treatment and prevention efforts, bringing us closer to a cure for diabetes.

 Because of your help, this renewal will allow for: 
 -The development of new drug therapies and effective treatments capable of stopping diabetes complications; 
-Progress in identifying environmental triggers for type 1 diabetes;
- Prevention, wellness and education programs for communities that are most at-risk of developing type 2 diabetes;
- and Continued research for a cure. With nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes and 79 million more with prediabetes, curing diabetes and preventing its complications is critical, and this is a huge step in the right direction! This victory couldn’t have happened without you.