The Foundation does not use donor funds to lobby or advise in political or legislative matters.
Periodically, the Director, Dr. Ann Kiessling, has been asked to render an opinion or bring an issue to light in the areas of stem cell research and assisted reproduction. This section of the site is dedicated to education on these matters.
Currently in this Section
“What Is An Embryo?” the Connecticut Law Review
The first comprehensive look at the influence of accurate science terminology, published by the Connecticut Law Review along with rejoinders by Dr. Harold Shapiro, Prof John A. Robertson, Prof Lars Noah, and Father Kevin P. Quinn. The law review specifically addresses the controversy of all of the entities that are currently called embryos with regards to embryonic stem cell research legislation around the wold.
Obama’s Stem Cell Policy
Not everything it’s cracked up to be. On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama issued an executive order that rescinded President George W. Bush’s limitation on Federal support of human embryonic stem cell research. And while this new Executive Order was welcomed by stem cell scientists, the burdensome and expensive bookkeeping and research practices to separate “non-presidential” stem cell research from “presidential” stem cell research will still continue for some studies because of long standing federal regulations not over-turned by the Obama order.
Burrill Stem Cell Report: Human Eggs: The Need, The Risks, The Politics
There is no doubt that we are on the cusp of major stem cell breakthroughs. Stem cells will one day provide effective low-cost treatment for diabetes, some forms of blindness, heart attack, stroke, spinal cord damage and many other health problems. Animal stem cell studies are already very promising and some clinical trials using stem cells have been initiated. The Burrill Stem Cell Report provides a comprehensive look at the latest research taking place around the world.
Open Letter to Senator Orrin Hatch
June 2005, this landmark letter was signed by 126 stem cell scientists at the International Society for Stem Cell Research meeting in San Francisco.
Should the U.S. government support the creation of new lines of embryonic stem cells?
An open letter by Foundation director, Dr. Ann A. Kiessling. The answer to that question is not simple. The rancorous US debate about embryonic stem cells bespeaks a healthy society with genuine concern about each and every member, the tiniest and the sickest. Everyone, on both sides of the debate, wants to do what’s right.
In Vitro Fertilization and Cleavage of Human Ovarian Eggs (pdf)
The original report from 1944 about In Vitro Fertilized Eggs.
Links to sites with news and information about reproductive research:
The Special Program of Assisted Reproduction – At the clinical laboratory of the Bedford Research Foundation that provides semen testing for HIV infected men who wish to safely conceive children.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)–More information on In Vitro Fertilization.