CGS-authored

The federal government Friday proposed allowing federal funding of research on embryonic stem cells derived from fertility clinics, possibly making hundreds of new stem cell lines available. But the proposal keeps in place restrictions on creating cells solely for research, a limitation scientists say will thwart major medical advancements.

The long-awaited draft regulations from the National Institutes of Health means Bay Area scientists will continue relying on state and private funding to support the most innovative areas of stem-cell research.

If the NIH proposal is ultimately approved in summer, an estimated 700 lines may become available for federally funded research. However, scientists at Stanford University and University of California-San Francisco say the proposed regulations won't significantly help their research, which relies on custom-created stem cells, which would remain banned from federal money.

Instead, Bay Area scientists will continue to rely on state and private funding. Rules set by California are far more permissive. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, created in 2004 by Proposition 71, allows scientists to create their own cell lines and find them from a wide range...