Harvard/HMS Policies on Stem Cell Research

As many of you are aware, on August 9th, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that federal funds may not be awarded for research using human embryonic stem cells unless all of the following criteria are met:

1. The derivation process (which begins with the destruction of the embryo) was initiated prior to 9:00 P.M. EDT on August 9, 2001.
2. The stem cells must have been derived from an embryo that was created for reproductive purposes and was no longer needed.
3. Informed consent must have been obtained for the donation of the embryo and that donation must not have involved financial inducements.

To review a list of those eligible cell lines that are available for currently available for shipping to researchers, visit the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry page on the NIH web site.

International Research Organizations

To review the list of the international research organizations that have derived cell lines that are eligible for funding under the President's policy visit the Stem Cell Information page on the NIH web site

Harvard Policies on Stem Cells

The HMS Committee on Microbiologic Safety (COMS) requires all work with human cells be registered with the Committee. If your work involes human embryonic stem cells, you must complete the Supplementary Human Stem Cells Registration form.

COMS is a central source of information about stem cell work at HU and affiliated instiutions. Any evidence one of our investigators plans to work with human stem cells should be communicated to COMS.

In 2001, Harvard (Provosts Office) formed the Stem Cell Research Committee to review proposals involving embryonic stem cells. As part of the process of indentifying research projects involving embryonic stem cells, the Committee relies on data from sponsored research proposals, in addition to other mechanisms of indentifying this kind of research. Please indicate whether or not research will involve the use of embryonic stem cells on the Sponsored Programs Routing sheet. In addition, the federal government has enacted specific administrative and financial requirements affecting reimbursement of direct and indirect costs of human embryonic stem cell research.

The following federal guidelines and internal Harvard policies are set forth to guide the University's compliance with the government's prescribed treatment of hESC-associated costs.