ISSCR expresses concern over NIH decision on fetal tissue research funding

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), the largest professional organization of stem cell researchers from around the world, is concerned about a recent statement attributed to NIH that the agency will not renew research grants involving human fetal tissue (HFT), and that research with HFT is not conducted responsibly or transparently. In fact, research with HFT has been indispensable in advancing biomedicine and saving millions of lives, and it continues to play an essential role in accelerating research that benefits patients.

ISSCR President Hideyuki Okano released the following statement:

"Research with HFT and HFT-derived cell lines has been a cornerstone of biomedical progress since the 1930s. For decades, this work has been conducted with bipartisan congressional support under both Republican and Democratic administrations in the U.S. HFT is an invaluable tool for advancing our understanding of human development, infertility, and diseases like diabetes, Zika virus, HIV, and neurodegenerative disorders. Cell lines originally derived from HFT have contributed to the development of vaccines for polio, rubella, measles, chickenpox, shingles, rabies, and COVID-19. Despite significant progress in the development of organoids and animal models, HFT continues to provide unique biological insights that cannot yet be fully replicated by alternative research methods.

This critical work is governed by a robust ethical and legal framework that ensures responsible research conduct and public accountability. There is a longstanding oversight process for research using HFT that ensures it is scientifically meritorious, legal, and ethically sound. This framework requires thorough informed consent for tissue donation and prohibits individuals from profiting from acquiring, receiving, or transferring fetal tissue for research. These safeguards protect the rights of donors, uphold public trust, and ensure that research using HFT proceeds responsibly while continuing to deliver vital scientific advances.

We urge NIH to reject political pressure to discontinue research with HFT and instead reaffirm its role as a champion of evidence-based biomedical science."