History
* History
- Between 1975 and 1993, due to a combination of regulatory restrictions and administrative inaction, no federal funding was made available for human embryo research.
- In 1994, the Director of NIH created a Human Embryo Testing Research Panel to recommend guidelines for reviewing applications for federal research funds. The panel endorsed human embryo research, finding that "[t]he promise of human benefit from research is significant, carrying great potential benefit to infertile couples, and to families with genetic conditions, and to individuals and families in need of effective therapies for a variety of diseases."
- The NIH Advisory Committee to the Director accepted the panel's recommendations.
- In December 1994 President Clinton announced that human embryo research would be permitted, but the use of federal funds to create embryos solely for research purposes would be prohibited.
- On August 4, 1995, the House passed the FY 1996 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill, including language adopted by the House Appropriations Committee prohibiting the use of federal funds for human embryo research. An amendment by Representative Porter (R-IL) to reinstate current policy on human embryo research failed in the Appropriations Committee by a tie vote.
- On September 15, 1995, the Senate Appropriations Committee deleted the House-passed restriction on human embryo research. To date the Senate has not approved the FY 1996 Labor/HHS Appropriations bill.
- On January 25, 1996, the House passed the 9th continuing resolution bill (CR) to continue funding programs that otherwise would have run out of money due to incomplete action on the FY 1996 appropriations bill.
- Included in the CR is language prohibiting the use of federal funds for human embryo research.
- On January 26, 1996 the Senate passed the CR and President Clinton signed the bill into law.