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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