"No research in recent history has offered as much hope as stem cell research in treating such a large number of debilitating diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease," said Robert Vigersky, MD, president of The Endocrine Society. "Our new position statement calls not only for an increase in NIH funding for stem cell research but also a broadening of the scope of federally funded research to include stem cells generated from sources other than IVF embryos, such as somatic cell nuclear transfer."

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) refers to the process of generating embryonic stem cells by injecting the nucleus of a non-stem cell into an unfertilized egg from which the nucleus has been removed. This process results in embryonic stem cells in which all the nuclear DNA and subsequently produced proteins are molecularly matched to those of the original non-stem cell. Because SCNT would generate stem cells with a patient's precise nuclear genetic make-up, the patient could be treated with these cells without fear of rejection by the patient's body.

"In light of the need for scientists to be able to generate disease-specific stem cells for research, the President's executive order alone is insufficient as it does not take full advantage of the technology at our fingertips," said Vigersky. "For the full potential of stem cell research to be reached, the amount of federal funding and the scope of that funding need to be expanded."

Source: The Endocrine Society