New Briefing Document for Reporters: Anticipating New Policy Under President Obama

Press Statement
Microscopic images of colorful stem cells against a dark black background.

Center for Genetics and Society has released a briefing document [PDF] to assist reporters in their coverage of the expected announcement of a new federal stem cell research policy.

One of Barack Obama’s early acts as president is expected to be the removal of President Bush’s restrictions on the federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research.

Stem cell research has been a controversial and confusing topic since Bush enacted the restrictions in 2001.

The backgrounder contains brief answers to a dozen frequently asked questions about the science of stem cell research and the federal policies that apply to it. It also includes a table that distinguishes the policy and science related to the various types of stem cell research.

The Center for Genetics and Society is a public affairs and policy advocacy organization working to encourage responsible uses and effective societal governance of human biotechnologies. It supports human embryonic stem cell research.

At the invitation of members of the Obama Administration transition team, CGS prepared a summary [PDF] of its policy memo on stem cell and related human biotechnology policies.

Update (Jan. 14): CGS has now released its full policy memo [PDF].


Contact Information:
Jesse Reynolds
1-510-625-0819 x308
jreynolds[AT]geneticsandsociety[DOT]org