I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3960
To authorize the use of Federal funds for research on human embryonic 
stem cells irrespective of the date on which such stem cells were derived, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 11, 2004
Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To authorize the use of Federal funds for research on human 
embryonic stem cells irrespective of the date on which 
such stem cells were derived, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Stem Cell Replenish-
ment Act of 2004’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) Scientists have shown they can direct 
human embryonic stem cells to develop into insulin-
producing cells that might help cure juvenile diabe-
tes. Up to 100 million Americans may benefit from 
research in this area. 
(2) Parkinson’s disease is a very common 
neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 2 
percent of the population over 65 years of age. 
(3) Several laboratories have been successful in 
developing methods to induce embryonic stem cells 
to differentiate into cells with many of the functions 
of dopamine-producing neurons used to relieve the 
symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 
(4) Without Federal funding for research relat-
ing to human embryonic stem cells—
(A) the Nation’s top academic researchers 
at universities, medical schools, and teaching 
hospitals would be precluded from joining in the 
search for cures; 
(B) progress in this search would be much 
slower; and 
(C) the United States would lag behind 
and loose its leadership role in scientific 
achievement and discovery. 
(5) On August 9, 2001, the President an-
nounced that Federal funds may be used for re-
search on human embryonic stem cell lines only if—
(A) prior to the President’s announce-
ment—
(i) the derivation process (which com-
mences with the removal of the inner cell 
mass from the blastocyst) had already been 
initiated; and 
(ii) the embryo from which the stem 
cell line was derived no longer had the pos-
sibility of development as a human being; 
(B) the stem cells involved were derived 
from an embryo that was created for reproduc-
tive purposes; 
(C) the embryo was no longer needed for 
such purposes; 
(D) informed consent was obtained for the 
donation of the embryo; and 
(E) no financial inducements were pro-
vided for donation of the embryo. 
SEC. 3. FEDERAL FUNDING OF STEM CELL RESEARCH. 
(a) DERIVATION DATE.—Notwithstanding the Presi-
dent’s announcement regarding stem cell research on Au-
gust 9, 2001, and the notice published by the National 
Institutes of Health on November 7, 2001, entitled ‘‘No-
tice of Criteria for Federal Funding of Research on Exist-
ing Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Establishment of
NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry’’ (NOT–OD–
02–006), Federal funds may be used for research on 
human embryonic stem cells irrespective of the date on 
which the derivation process for such stem cells was initi-
ated or completed. 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except with respect 
to the derivation date requirement described in subsection 
(a), this section shall not be construed to affect the re-
quirements made applicable to human embryonic stem cell 
research in guidelines and notices published by the Na-
tional Institutes of Health. 
(c) ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW.—The Director of the 
National Institutes of Health shall—
(1) review the guidelines and notices published 
by the National Institutes of Health with respect to 
human embryonic stem cell research; and 
(2) revise such guidelines and notices to the ex-
tent necessary to ensure the availability of not less 
than 60 stem cell lines that are scientifically fit for 
distribution for research purposes.
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