Freedom of Information Act Office
IC Directors' Meeting Highlights
August 30, 2010
| To: | IC Directors |
| From: | Vesna Kutlesic, Ph.D. |
| Subject: | IC Directors Meeting Highlights—August 26, 2010 |
Discussion items:
Stem Cell Injunction Update:
Dr. Francis Collins reported U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth temporarily halted Federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research on August 23, 2010. This has created a firestorm of controversy and has put hundreds of grants and much promising research in jeopardy. This fiscal year, we will award an estimated $137 million and 243 extramural and 10 intramural stem cell studies. Our total investment in stem cell research, both human embryonic and non-embryonic is $589 million this year. There are now 75 lines approved for Federal funding, including new lines, and they have been reviewed rigorously and found to be eligible both scientifically and ethically. NIH Senior Leadership has been in discussions with DOJ to discuss next steps. There is talk about a possible clarification coming from the judge. Also, there is the DOJ appeal, which they announced on August 24, 2010.
Science Talk:
Drs. Harvey Alter, CC/DTM — Shyh-Ching Lo, FDA/CBER presented on “Murine Leukemia Viruses and Their Possible Relationship to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.”
Science Talk:
Dr. Peter D. Kwong, VRC/NIAID presented on “Structure-Based Design of Vaccines for HIV and Influenza.”
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