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Advocates Express Concern About Embryonic Stem Cell Research Guidelines As Comment Period Closes
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research have expressed concern about the impact on existing research efforts under the Obama administration"s draft guidelines outlining criteria for federal funding of stem cell research, the Washington Post reports. The public comment period for the guidelines ends Tuesday and has generated more than 20,000 comments addressing nearly every element of the proposal. The guidelines, which NIH issued in April, propose limiting federal funding for the research to stem cells derived from unused embryos created for fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients who have given written consent. Former President George W. Bush in August 2001 enacted restrictions limiting federal funding for the research to the 21 stem cell lines existing at the time. Although President Obama in March signed an executive order lifting Bush"s restrictions, some proponents of embryonic stem cell research have suggested that Obama"s plan could actually jeopardize many existing research efforts. The Obama administration is expected to issue its final version of the guidelines by July 7, the Post reports.After Bush restricted federal funding to the embryonic stem cell lines already in existence, many researchers turned to private donors and state governments for the financial support to create hundreds of new lines. Although supporters of the research initially were pleased that the Obama administration"s guidelines would allow federal funding for research on these new existing lines, some are now concerned that certain stipulations in the new guidelines could actually disqualify these research efforts from receiving federal funding. For example, NIH"s proposal requires that couples who wish to donate unused embryos for research sign a consent form indicating that they were fully informed of their alternatives. Although many fertility clinics provide information for couples about their other options, few clinics note these details in written consent forms, according to the Post. Therefore, existing stem cell lines derived from embryos donated by couples who did not sign the required consent forms could be ineligible under NIH"s draft proposal, the Post reports. In addition, many stem cell research supporters also expressed disappointment that only unused embryos created for fertility treatments would be eligible for federal funding.George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute said that the Obama administration"s guidelines "take 2009 standards and attempt to apply them retroactively, which isn"t really a standard that would allow most of the pre-existing lines to be acceptable for NIH funding." Lawrence Goldstein, director of the University of California-San Diego"s stem cell program, said, "It"s not that past practices were shoddy. But they don"t necessarily meet every letter of the new guidelines moving forward." Goldstein added that researchers would "have to throw everything out and start all over again" under the new proposed guidelines. Amy Comstock Rick, CEO of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, said that her group is "very concerned" about the funding prospects for existing research efforts, adding that if NIH officials do not modify the guidelines, "very little current research would be eligible" to receive federal funds. However, Raynard Kington, acting NIH director, said the agency is aware of the concerns and "will take them into consideration." He added that "it"s unambiguous that the intent of the president was to expand opportunities and research in this area," as long as such research is "scientifically worthy" and "ethically responsible" (Stein, Washington Post, 5/25).
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Yawn Alert For Weary Drivers
We"ve all experienced it after long hours driving, the eyelids getting heavy, a deep yawn, neck muscles relaxing, the urge to sleep, the head nodding down... But, you"re hands are still on the wheel and you only just stopped yourself nodding off in time to avoid the oncoming traffic.
News of the day
HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Senate Confirmation Of Assistant Secretary For Preparedness And Response Dr. Nicole Lurie
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Nicole Lurie as the next Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at HHS. Dr. Lurie, an internationally recognized leader in public health, most recently served as co-director of the RAND Corporation Center for Domestic and International Health Security, senior natural scientist and professor of policy analysis at the RAND Corporation.
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Louisiana Department Of Health And Hospitals Offers Grant To Improve Primary Health Care Services

The Department of Health and Hospitals" Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health is offering grants to medically underserved, rural and urban areas to expand access to primary care services. DHH has released application guidelines for the Community-Based and Rural Health Program Grant. These guidelines are available to download at http://www.pcrh.dhh.louisiana.gov. Individual awards of up to $75,000 are available to public and non-profit groups located in rural areas, health professional shortage areas or areas identified in Act 162 from the 2002 First Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Act 162 is a bill aimed at impacting health care in Louisiana"s rural and urban underserved communities, and outlines a strategic plan for increasing access to and the quality of care in these areas. Proposed projects should expand, enhance or strengthen access to quality primary care services or school-based health centers. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate components of the medical home system of care such as evidence-based, patient-centered care; coordination of care across multiple providers; disease management; quality improvement initiatives and health information technology. A maximum of $30,000 is available for capital improvements, equipment and technology regardless of the project"s focus. "Each year, the Community-Based and Rural Health program grant is updated to reflect current priorities and initiatives of the department," said Gerrelda Davis, director of the Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health. "This year, one of our top priorities is investing in projects that increase access to primary care services that are truly viable and sustainable." Letters of intent are due by close of business on July 17, and the application deadline is 5 p.m. on July 31. Applications can be mailed to P.O. Box 3118, Baton Rouge, La, 70821. Applications can also be submitted electronically in a Word or PDF file to sheree.taillon@la.gov with "CBRH Application" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed by a committee. Funding decisions will be based on recommendations from the committee"s evaluation and scoring of the applications. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals


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