Policy
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The ISSCR supports all forms of stem cell research, performed under rigorous and transparent oversight, and advocates that embryonic, adult, and reprogrammed stem cell research must move forward in parallel to best understand disease and identify treatment. Learn more.
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The ISSCR promotes rigorous standards for research integrity, patient welfare, respect for research subjects, transparency, and social justice, as outlined in its Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation. Learn more.
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The marketing of unproven treatments raises major ethical and integrity concerns and may jeopardize the safety of patients. Patient welfare and transparency in all communications are core principles of ISSCR advocacy. Learn more.
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Established in 2019, this fellowship program honors ISSCR member Lawrence Goldstein, PhD, continuing his legacy by training ISSCR members to become policy advocates. Learn more.
“The people who understand the science have to explain it to the public and to policy makers or we will have policies that undermine public health and the development of new therapies.”
Support for Stem Cell Research and Funding
Related Advocacy and News
Position
The ISSCR supports all forms of stem cell research, performed under rigorous and transparent oversight, and advocates that embryonic, adult, and reprogrammed stem cell research must move forward in parallel to best understand disease and identify treatment.
Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to make any cell type in the body in unlimited quantities. Research in this area is producing innovative new approaches to treat diseases that represent major public health problems, and cells derived from human embryonic stem cells are now being tested in clinical trials as treatments for diabetes, spinal cord injury, heart failure, macular degeneration and Stargardt’s macular dystrophy.
Fetal tissue research has been critical for scientific and medical advances that have saved the lives of millions of people, including the development of vaccines against polio, rubella, measles, chickenpox, adenovirus, rabies, as well as treatments for debilitating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and hemophilia.
The ISSCR supports rigorous funding to advance treatments for disease, protect investments in science, and ensure that the economy continues to benefit from the significant contributions that science and biomedical research provide.
Recent advances in stem cell research, gene therapy, genomics, and cancer biology have created unprecedented opportunities to create new treatments for human disease. However, decreased funding investments and budget cuts could slow the development of new cures and cause long-term damage to the international research infrastructure and to public health efforts around the world.
Promotion of Scientific Integrity and Ethical Research
Related Advocacy and News
Position
The ISSCR promotes rigorous standards for research integrity, patient welfare, respect for research subjects, transparency, and social justice, as outlined in its Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation. At their core, the guidelines preserve the imperative for a specialized oversight process for research involving human embryos, in recognition of the unique sensitivities surrounding such research.
Responding to advances in science, the guidelines encompass a broader and more expansive scope of research and clinical endeavor than before, imposing rigor on all stages of the research, addressing the cost of regenerative medicine products, and highlighting the need for accurate and effective public communication.
Preventing the Marketing of Unproven Stem Cell Therapies
Related Advocacy and News
Position
The marketing of unproven treatments raises major ethical and integrity concerns and may jeopardize the safety of patients. Patient welfare and transparency in all communications are core principles of the ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, which help assure the public of the integrity of stem cell science and its translation to medicine. The ISSCR guidelines call for processing and manufacture of any cell product as well as the conduct of clinical trials to be performed under expert, independent review and oversight.
Lawrence Goldstein Science Policy Fellowship Program
2022-2025 Goldstein Policy Fellows
Brian Aguado, PhD
University of California, San Diego, USA
“The Goldstein Science Policy Fellowship enabled me to connect with the ISSCR leadership community and serve as advocates of stem cell research in the face of rampant misinformation. I was honored to participate as a Fellow and meet with my state’s legislators to communicate our concerns as scientists and citizens and provide solutions to a variety of contentious issues”.
Justin Brumbaugh, PhD
University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
“The Goldstein policy fellowship was an incredible opportunity to learn how to advocate for responsible science policy and, at the same time, have a positive impact in that area”.
Tamra Lysaght, PhD
National University of Singapore, Singapore
“I had the opportunity to collaborate as a co-author on a paper published with my other fellow classmates and Larry Goldstein himself on the highly topical and important issue of human foetal tissue research. I also benefited from participating in the regular Public Policy Committee meetings and engaging in their discussions”.
Join the Fellowship Program
The ISSCR is looking for the next class of Lawrence Goldstein Science Policy Fellows.
The three-year program offers fellows advocacy and public policy training, the opportunity to participate in ISSCR advocacy events, engagement with leaders in the field, and an ex officio seat on ISSCR’s Public Policy Committee.
Benefits and hands-on experience:
Attend ISSCR’s Congressional Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. or a policy- related event in another region of the world;
Participate in regularly scheduled Public Policy Committee meetings;
Assist the committee and ISSCR policy staff with projects and programs as assigned; and
Contribute to ISSCR’s policy messaging and communications.
To apply for the fellowship program please submit the following PDF documents to policy@isscr.org:
a one-to-two page statement of interest featuring:
your experience or interest with public policy and advocacy
several policy topics that interest you and why
what you hope to gain from the fellowship program
your resume/CV
Applications are due 25 October 2024.
Notifications will be sent by the end of December 2024.
Note: This program is available to early career scientists who have completed their PhD.
If you have questions, please contact Tyler Lamb at tlamb@isscr.org.
About the Lawrence Goldstein Science Policy Fellowship Program
Established in 2019, the ISSCR fellowship program honors ISSCR member Lawrence Goldstein, PhD, for his longstanding commitment to policy and public service. Dr. Goldstein's advocacy before local, state, and national policy makers continues to make a significant impact on the field. The ISSCR’s policy fellowship program continues that legacy by training ISSCR members to become policy advocates.
View the previous class of Goldstein Science Policy Fellows here.
2024 Congressional Advocacy Day
ISSCR leaders attended the 2024 Congressional Advocacy Day 13 March 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to advocate for stem cell research.
