Future federally funded human embryonic stem cell research at University of Michigan in jeopardy

This story has been updated with an announcement the Justice Department will appeal the ruling.

University of Michigan scientists working with human embryonic stem cells were blindsided this week by a federal ruling that put their work in jeopardy.

A federal judge's temporary injunction Monday blocked taxpayer funding of the work.

Projects that have already awarded their funding appear to be safe, at least for now, but the National Institutes of Health have ceased review of both new applications and grants being considered for renewal.

“At U-M we have a lab space which does not use any federal funding,” said Ed Goldman, the former leader of the University of Michigan Health System’s legal office. “In the short term, the ruling will not affect us, but longer term it means weâ€¨ would not be able to apply for federal funding for promising research.”

The fate of future federally funded human embryonic stem cell research at U-M is now uncertain.

There are 15 U-M researchers with approval from a university oversight committee to conduct human embryonic stem cell research. Not all of those projects have started yet. A number of them have and are funded by the National Institutes of Health.

A federal judge ruled on Monday that the stem cell research violated the will of Congress in prohibiting the destruction of human embryos.

National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said Tuesday that dozens more studies of promising stem cell therapies — about $54 million worth — will have to stop because of the court ruling that temporarily forbids any additional money from being granted.

It isn’t yet clear whether that will impact any planned U-M studies.

U-M research scientist Jack Mosher’s work appears to be safe. He’s a year into a $744,000, two-year project funded by NIH involving the study of Hirschstrung’s disease, a defect in part of the nervous system that regulates gut function. Those who have it are unable or defective in their ability to pass solid waste. If left untreated, it can lead to death.

“I hope one day it allows us to make real insight into understanding and treating Hirschstrung’s disease,” he said of his research. “The funding from NIH is what scientists like myself and the rest of use depend on to accomplish those goals.”

It’s also not yet clear whether the federal ruling will stick, said Goldman, who now teaches a course on women’s rights called reproductive justice. Researchers around U-M working with human embryonic stem cells are now scared and uncertain, Goldman said.

“We just don’t know what’s going to happen yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has indicated a Justice Department appeal is forthcoming. But Collins said the decision jeopardizes the hunt for needed new treatments just as it was gaining speed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Juliana Keeping is a health and environment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter