NIH has long maintained policies governing the responsible and limited use of human fetal tissue in biomedical research. However, NIH supported research using human fetal tissue has been in sharp decline since 2019. With the emergence of validated alternatives and to appropriately prioritize limited resources towards biomedical research models with more relevance to today’s rapidly evolving research ecosystem, NIH has announced it will no longer support research involving human fetal tissue derived from elective abortions. For additional context, please see the NIH Guide Notice and a statement from NIH Director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

NIH is also reviewing opportunities to reduce or potentially replace reliance on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) for research. During this review, NIH is pausing review and approval of applications for new hESC lines to be added to the NIH hESC Registry.

To inform this assessment, NIH is seeking public input to assess the utility of hESCs in biomedical research, specifically, areas of research that could not occur, or areas in which newer, validated models could serve as a replacement. Comments on the request for information can be submitted electronically at: https://osp.od.nih.gov/comment-form-reducing-reliance-on-human-embryonic-stem-cells-in-nih-supported-research/ and will be accepted until April 24, 2026.

Questions may be sent to [email protected].

If you are not yet a subscriber to this listserv, please sign up here.