[Federal Register: August 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 149)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 38885-38886]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05au09-144]                         



                        Presidential Documents 




___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 38885]]

                Memorandum of July 30, 2009

 
                Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research

                Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and 
                Agencies

                As outlined in Executive Order 13505 of March 9, 2009, 
                my Administration is committed to supporting and 
                conducting ethically responsible, scientifically worthy 
                human stem cell research, including human embryonic 
                stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law. 
                Pursuant to that order, the National Institutes of 
                Health (NIH) published final ``National Institutes of 
                Health Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research'' 
                (Guidelines), effective July 7, 2009. These Guidelines 
                apply to the expenditure of NIH funds for research 
                using human embryonic stem cells and certain uses of 
                human induced pluripotent stem cells. The Guidelines 
                are based on the principles that responsible research 
                with human embryonic stem cells has the potential to 
                improve our understanding of human biology and aid in 
                the discovery of new ways to prevent and treat illness, 
                and that individuals donating embryos for research 
                purposes should do so freely, with voluntary and 
                informed consent. These Guidelines will ensure that 
                NIH-funded research adheres to the highest ethical 
                standards.

                In order to ensure that all federally funded human stem 
                cell research is conducted according to these same 
                principles and to promote a uniform Federal policy 
                across the executive branch, I hereby direct the heads 
                of executive departments and agencies that support and 
                conduct stem cell research to adopt these Guidelines, 
                to the fullest extent practicable in light of legal 
                authorities and obligations. I also direct those 
                departments and agencies to submit to the Director of 
                the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), within 90 
                days, proposed additions or revisions to any other 
                guidance, policies, or procedures related to human stem 
                cell research, consistent with Executive Order 13505 
                and this memorandum. The Director of the OMB shall, in 
                coordination with the Director of NIH, review these 
                proposals to ensure consistent implementation of 
                Executive Order 13505 and this memorandum.

                This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person. Executive departments and agencies shall 
                carry out the provisions of this memorandum to the 
                extent permitted by law and consistent with their 
                statutory and regulatory authorities and their 
                enforcement mechanisms.

[[Page 38886]]

                The Director of the OMB is hereby authorized and 
                directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal 
                Register.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-18834
Filed 8-4-09; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3110-01-P