The National Academy of Sciences, an independent advisory board, issued new ethical guidelines for U.S. human stem cell research on April 25. Though the guidelines do not affect current research at the University, which uses mouse stem cells, the University may be affected in the future.
The University could become more involved in human stem cell research if the proposed New Jersey Stem Cell Research Institute is created. New Jersey acting governor Richard Cody promised $380 million to the institute's development in January. Compliance with the National Academy guidelines is voluntary.
The guidelines recommend creating oversight committees, prohibiting growing human embryos in culture for more than 14 days and banning the placement of animal embryonic cells in human blastocysts.
The guidelines also advise against paying egg donors.
Molecular biology professor Ihor Lemischka said the guidelines will have mostly subtle effects on the scientific community.
"Some of the guidelines are quite arbitrary," Lemischka said. "Who decides that it's two weeks [for growing human embryos] in cultures, for instance? For now, it won't make too much difference."
"The good thing is that it's terrific that someone as prominent as the Academy has taken the time and energy to do this," he added.
Unlike countries such as Britain and Australia, the United States has not placed stem cell research under government supervision, and has provided only limited federal funding.
Professor of human values Peter Singer noted the significance of the guidelines.
He said that the guidelines, along with $3 billion recently allocated to stem cell research in California, may help close the gap in stem cell research between the United States and other countries.
"This country has had particularly huge issues in grappling with stem cell research," Singer said. "I would take Britain as a model. Britain is not afraid to fund research under certain approved conditions. That seems to be better."
Singer said he questions the recommendation to ban paying for egg donors, however.
"I think it's a little odd that you can pay egg donors for one thing and not another," Singer said. "You would think that donating for scientific research would invoke less complex emotions for a woman than donating to create a child."
Some voices on campus, such as Princeton Pro-Life, question the use of human embryonic stem cells in research.
"It's not okay to create human life to be destroyed," said Ashley Pavlic '07, Princeton Pro-Life president. Princeton Pro-Life does not object to research with animal stem cells.
Lemischka said that there should be more public debate and education about the issue.
"The scientific and biomedical community welcomes debate," Lemischka said. "This is a good time for the academy to consider these kinds of things."
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