Newswise — The Society for Women's Health Research applauds the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their guidelines on embryonic stem cell research which went into effect July 7, 2009. The following is a statement from the Society's president/CEO, Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W., supporting the new guidelines:
"The Society is pleased that the new guidelines will allow for federally funded research using existing stem cell lines, so long as those lines were created according to the ethical standards set forth.
"The Society supports medical research that holds promise for the treatment of human disease and disability. The therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cells is remarkable because these cells have the unique ability to differentiate into any human cell type and offer real hope of one day curing conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries.
"The former guidelines only sanctioned stem cell research that was privately funded. This excluded the NIH " a federally funded institution " from conducting embryonic stem cell research both internally and through NIH-funded scientists."
The Society for Women's Health Research is the nation's only non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of all women through research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the Society brought to national attention the need for the appropriate inclusion of women in major medical research studies and the need for more information about conditions affecting women disproportionately, predominately, or differently than men. The Society advocates increased funding for research on women's health; encourages the study of sex differences that may affect the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease; promotes the inclusion of women in medical research studies; and informs women, providers, policy makers and media about contemporary women's health issues. Visit the Society's Web site at www.womenshealthresearch.org for more information.
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