New Century Health Advantage Act

The New Century Health Advantage Act (H.R. 2838) would authorize the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund and conduct research using human embryonic stem cells. Specifically, the bill allows for the use of stem cells derived from embryos originally created for fertility treatments that are no longer needed by the patients. To facilitate this, the legislation would repeal existing federal restrictions that prohibit the use of government funds for research in which human embryos are destroyed.

For the public, this bill aims to accelerate medical research into potential treatments for chronic and life-threatening diseases, such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries. By expanding the types of stem cell lines eligible for federal funding, the bill seeks to provide scientists with more resources to develop regenerative medicines and improve long-term health outcomes. The bill has remained in the Subcommittee on Health since 2001 and has not become law.