NIH Research Chief: Shut Down Human Embryonic Stem Cell Experiments Immediately
Michael Gottesman The NIH intramural research chief ordered scientists to halt experiments that use human embryonic stem cells. The move comes after an injunction barring federal funding for stem cell research In what could be a major blow to health research, the National Institutes of Health on Monday ordered an immediate shutdown of NIH experiments involving human embryonic stem cells. The move, reported in ScienceInsider, comes on the heels of a ruling last week that blocked the use of federal funds to study new embryonic stem cell lines. A judge said President Obama's 2009 executive order violates a federal law barring the use of federal funds to destroy embryos. Scientists are seething over today's ruling, announced in a memo from NIH intramural research chief Michael Gottesman. According to ScienceInsider, Gottesman said: "The injunction ... is applicable to the use of human embryonic stem cells in intramural research projects. In light of this determination,...