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Swine Flu Media Bulletin, Wales
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NIH Announces Final Guidelines For Federally Funded Embryonic Stem Cell Research
NIH on Monday announced final guidelines for assessing whether newly created embryonic stem cell lines can be used for federally funded research, as well as clarifying how old lines will be evaluated, CongressDaily reports (CongressDaily, 7/7). In March, President Obama overturned former President George W. Bush"s policy limiting federal funding of embryonic stem cell research to 21 lines. Obama asked NIH to develop new guidelines that would govern such research going forward. The agency received about 49,000 comments on a draft version of the guidelines announced in April (Vergano, USA Today, 7/7). The final guidelines, which take effect on Tuesday, state that stem cell lines used in federally funded research must come from embryos discarded after in vitro fertilization procedures. In addition, donors must have been informed that the embryo would be destroyed for stem cell research and made fully aware of other options, which include donating the embryo to other individuals for use in infertility treatments. Lastly, donors cannot be paid for an embryo, and no threats or other inducement can be part of the decision to donate (Vedantam, Washington Post, 7/7).Raynard Kington, acting director of NIH, said that lines developed before Tuesday likely would be approved if they were created in the spirit of the new rules, even if they do not follow them to the letter (Harris, New York Times, 7/7). NIH"s Advisory Committee to the Director will review such lines on a case-by-case basis. NIH also will create a registry of qualifying stem cell lines for use by researchers (Los Angeles Times, 7/7). Kington said, "Many of the lines already in existence may have met very rigorous standards of informed consent but may have been implemented in ways not consistent with the present guidelines." He added, "It"s unreasonable to retroactively apply procedures intended for future use" (New York Times, 7/7). Kington also said of the new guidelines, "We think this is a reasonable compromise to achieve the president"s goal of both advancing science while maintaining rigorous ethical standards. We believe that judgment is necessary" (Los Angeles Times, 7/7). Broadcast CoverageNPR"s "Morning Edition" on Tuesday reported on the stem cell guidelines (Shapiro, "Morning Edition," NPR, 7/7).
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Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Announces Launch Of Quill SRS Product Codes For Laparoscopic Gynecology Procedures
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANPI, TSX: ANP) announced the launch of a series of new, proprietary Quill(TM) SRS product codes specifically designed for laparoscopic, or minimally invasive, gynecology procedures, including hysterectomies and myomectomies. In 2008, there were approximately 750,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States of which approximately 130,000 were performed laparoscopically. In addition, there were approximately 72,000 myomectomies performed in the United States to remove uterine fibroid tumors. Management estimates 6-8% annual growth in laparoscopically assisted hysterectomies through 2014.
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Endocrine Society Unveils First-Ever Scientific Statement

Endocrine Society Unveils First-Ever Scientific Statement: Inaugural Statement Identifies Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals as a Significant Concern to Public Health The Endocrine Society presented its first-ever Scientific Statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals today at ENDO 09, the 91st Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society. The Scientific Statement presents evidence on the health effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals as well as recommendations for increasing understanding and raising awareness of these effects. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances in the environment that interfere with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism or action resulting in adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. "From chemicals in pesticides, food, plastic bottles and other items that we use every day, the concern is real," said Robert M. Carey, MD, president of The Endocrine Society. "In this Scientific Statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals- developed by a group of experts in the field-we present evidence that shows endocrine disruptors have effects on male and female reproduction, breast development and cancer, prostate cancer, neuroendocrinology, thyroid disease, metabolism and obesity, and cardiovascular endocrinology." The Scientific Statement is a brand new initiative of The Endocrine Society. The statements are designed to educate basic scientists, clinical scientists, and clinicians about the scientific evidence for the basis of disease. This evidence can also be applied in the practice of medicine with regard to both prevention and management. "Within this statement we also make a number of recommendations to increase understanding of the effects of endocrine disruptors," said Dr. Carey. "The recommendations include enhancing basic and clinical research, and advocating involvement of individual and scientific society stakeholders in communicating and implementing changes in public policy and awareness." The Endocrine Society


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