National Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (ESCRO) Committee Survey

Results of National Survey of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committees

April 30, 2007

The survey whose results are presented in the accompanying PowerPoint Presentation was created and conducted by Ms. Krysten Brown and Dr. Anne Hiskes, ESCRO Chair, of the University of Connecticut in response to an invitation from Dr. Julius Landwirth of Yale University. The survey was created to facilitate discussion at a pre-conference workshop "Preparing for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Review in a Politically Charged Environment" at the international stem cell symposium StemCONN07 held on March 27-28, 2007 in Hartford, Connecticut. The workshop was chaired by Dr. Landwirth with participation from three distinguished ethics and law experts.

Questions for the survey were created with input from Dr. Landwirth, the ESCRO Co-Chairs of Yale University, Dr. Sandra Alfano and Dr. Maurice Mahoney, the ESCRO chair at Wesleyan University, Dr. Lori Gruen, and Dr. Audrey Chapman, a bioethicist and ESCRO member from the University of Connecticut. A list of potential participants from across the United States was obtained from a web search of institutions currently involved in stem cell research with the assistance of Laura Malis. The construction of this survey therefore represents the supportive and fruitful nature of the collaborations that have characterized the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Initiative from its inception.

Survey participants were invited to share insights, experiences, and challenges in the field of human embryonic stem cell research oversight by answering questions about ESCRO Committee activity at their institution. The survey consisted of seven sections requesting information about ESCRO structure, state funding and regulations, ESCRO responsibilities and review activities, ESCRO ethical guidelines and policies, ESCRO educational activities, ESCRO collaborations, and topics for further national discussion.

Responses indicate that most ESCROs are still in their beginning phases and have not yet created detailed operational guidelines and policies. Several institutions expressed an interest in gaining knowledge from other better established ESCRO departments.

It is noteworthy that 50% of the respondents receive funds for stem cell research from their state. Since only a handful of states fund stem cell research, this result suggests that state funding has served as an effective catalyst for moving research institutions to the frontiers of stem cell research.

We hope that readers of the PowerPoint presentation of the survey's results will find the results useful and informative for their own efforts in conducting and overseeing human embryonic stem cell research.

Thanks and best wishes,

Krysten Brown, B.A., Ph.D. Student
Department of Sociology
The University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269

Anne L. Hiskes, Ph.D.
Chair, ESCRO Committee
Associate Professor, Philosophy
The University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269