University of California - UC Newsroom | UC seeks to intervene in stem cell research lawsuit

UC seeks to intervene in stem cell research lawsuit

Date: 2010-09-20
Contact: University of California Office of the President
Phone: (510) 987-9200
Email:

Statement from the University of California regarding the filing of a motion with the U.S Federal Court of Appeals to intervene in Sherley v. Sebelius.

Human embryonic stem cell research is a powerful tool for gaining better knowledge of fundamental cellular biology and holds the potential for new cures and therapies for an array of life-threatening diseases affecting millions of Americans. Understanding and ultimately realizing the potential of stem cells through the advancement of ethical scientific research is a priority for the University of California and our world-class research enterprise.

The recent U.S. District Court preliminary injunction blocking federally funded human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research threatens ongoing potential life-saving research and undermines the time-honored system of peer-reviewed science.

The University of California is seeking to intervene in the case of Sherley v. Sebelius. The university takes this step in order to directly weigh in with the court regarding the harm to research institutions engaged in this critical research that will result from a suspension or termination of access to federal funds.

The University of California is the first research institution in the nation to formally seek to intervene in the pending lawsuit.

The University of California believes it is imperative that the scientific community be permitted to move forward with embryonic stem cell research that provides hope to millions of patients and their families.

UC is a global leader in ethical and scientific stem cell research. Following National Institutes of Health and federal guidelines, all 10 UC campuses are actively involved in stem cell research. The university has dedicated substantial effort to human embryonic stem cell research reflecting the strong consensus in the relevant scientific communities, in the state, and among university leaders that hESCs are a powerful research tool that can be used and are being used to better understand fundamental cellular biology and, eventually, to improve the health of our citizens.