‘(a) In General- In accordance with section 492, the Secretary shall conduct and support basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that, like embryonic stem cells, are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body and may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but are not derived from a human embryo.
‘(b) Guidelines- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, after consultation with the Director of NIH, shall issue final guidelines to implement subsection (a), that--
‘(1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research, which shall include a determination of the extent to which specific techniques may require additional basic or animal research to ensure that any research involving human cells using these techniques would clearly be consistent with the standards established under this section;
‘(2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and
‘(3) consistent with subsection (a), take into account techniques outlined by the President’s Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research.
‘(c) Reporting Requirements- Not later than January 1 of each year, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report describing the activities carried out under this section during the fiscal year, including a description of the research conducted under this section.
‘(d) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any policy, guideline, or regulation regarding embryonic stem cell research, human cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer, or any other research not specifically authorized by this section.
‘(e) Definition-
‘(1) IN GENERAL- In this section, the term ‘human embryo’ shall have the meaning given such term in the applicable appropriations Act.
‘(2) APPLICABLE ACT- For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ‘applicable appropriations Act’ means, with respect to the fiscal year in which research is to be conducted or supported under this section, the Act making appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services for such fiscal year, except that if the Act for such fiscal year does not contain the term referred to in paragraph (1), the Act for the previous fiscal year shall be deemed to be the applicable appropriations Act.
‘(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, to carry out this section.’.
U.S. Congress - Text of S.487 as Introduced in Senate Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2009
