Massachusetts (Stem Cell) – what-when-how

Massachusetts excels in the biomedical field. The commonwealth has strong, internationally recognized academic research institutions and clinical centers, as well as a growing biomedical industry, with stem cell and regenerative medicine companies. The legislation is supportive of stem cell research, and the state is setting aside funds for embryonic stem cell research. Past successes have included performing the first skin graft grown from human stem cells in 1983.

The only federal legislation regulation of stem cell research is an executive order prohibiting federal funds from being used for embryonic stem cell research, except those using embryonic stem cell lines created before August 9, 2001. Each state is therefore responsible for determining its policy and funding for stem cell research.

Stem cell research in Massachusetts falls under the 2005 act enhancing regenerative medicine, which permits and encourages stem cell research on adult, placental, umbilical cord blood, and human embryonic stem cells. The law permits the creation of embryos for research by therapeutic cloning, using somatic cell nuclear transfer. Cloning for human reproductive purposes is prohibited, and the law includes penalties for violating regulations.

To clarify the regulations for creating embryos for research, an act on biotechnology regulation also was enacted in 2006. This act makes it clear that creating embryos for research may be done only by somatic cell nuclear transfer, parthenogenesis, or other asexual means. Though embryos may not be created for research through in vitro fertilization procedures, excess embryos from assisted reproduction may be donated for research with the informed consent of the donors. Regulations prohibit payment for embryos, human gametes, or cadaveric tissue.

The legislature also overrode a governors veto to create an institute for stem cell research and regenerative medicine at the University of Massachusetts and established an investment fund to create a life science center for regenerative medicine and biotechnology in 2006. With a planned investment of $1 billion over 10 years, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative will provide investment to public and private institutions, growing life sciences research, development, and commercialization, as well as building ties between sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. In addition to funding, this strategy of focusing on medicine and science research will provide funds to researchers for work before NIH grant funding, build an infrastructure for research, and support the translation of Massachusetts research innovation into clinical applications with tax incentives and other assistance.

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park was created in 1985 in Worcester for biotechnology research and production. The park is across the street from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and is home to over a dozen biotechnology companies, not-for-profits, and academic institutions. The facilities include wet laboratory space and locations for buildings designed for the business. CenTech Park-Emerging Technology Research and Manufacturing located in Grafton is near the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. The park is intended for emerging technology companies.

The Harvard Stem Cell Institute, founded in 2004, supports the collaborative work of the university, medical school, teaching hospitals, and researchers to bring together basic science innovation with clinical expertise to translate innovations into clinical applications. The institute supports research into all aspects of stem cell biology, including both embryonic and adult stem cells. Their primary emphasis is on the search for new therapies for serious diseases, including, among others, diabetes, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, blood diseases, and cancer. The institute receives private donation support and National Institutes of Health grant funds.

The University of Massachusetts is a public research university system with campuses statewide and a medical school and a teaching hospital in Worcester. The University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare is home to the commonwealths public cord blood bank, as well as researchers in cell biology, stem cell research for use in bone disease and blood disorders, and clinical research with the goal of translation of their findings to clinical application in cardiovascular and blood disease, cancer, and diabetes.

The Massachusetts legislature set aside funding for an institute for stem cell research and regenerative medicine at the university, which will integrate the system-wide strengths in human and animal stem cell research as well as biological material and cell/tissue engineering. The hope is to build core lab facilities, enhance the academic programs, and use the strength of the Massachusetts Biologic laboratories in translating basic science innovations into clinical applications.

Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories became part of the University of Massachusetts in 1997. The laboratory manufactures vaccines and other biologic products at locations in Jamaica Plain and Mattapan. The laboratory is licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for vaccine manufacturing.

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Massachusetts (Stem Cell) - what-when-how