The National Academy of Sciences has recommended new ethical guidelines for human embryonic stem cell research, hoping to set common standards for states, universities, and companies. Experts say they hope that researchers who use stem cells in the search for new cures will adopt the voluntary guidelines. The proposal includes establishing independent boards to review future studies involving human embryos. A ban is recommended on any financial payments to individuals or clinics involved in the donation of sperm, eggs, or embryos. The U.S. lacks nationwide standards for most embryonic stem cell research because federal funding for studies is highly limited. A decision by President Bush in August 2001 restricted funding for research on embryonic stem cells to some 77 stem cell lines that were already in existence at the time. Federal rules on embryonic stem cell research apply only to research on these lines. Embryonic stem cell research is controversial because the stem cells are taken from a human embryo, which is destroyed in the process.
