A resolution to change the University of Nebraska embryonic stem cell research policy was rejected by the NU Board of Regents on Friday.
The regents voted 4-4 on the resolution, which needed five votes to pass.
The current policy — which will stay in place after Friday’s vote — allows university scientists to do ESC research as long as it follows state and federal guidelines.
Before Friday’s vote, NU President James B. Milliken, J.D., UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC Faculty Senate President Karen Honeycutt, and UNMC Student Senate President Brad Bohn spoke against the resolution.
Milliken urged regents to maintain the university’s current policy, which allows NU scientists to appropriately engage in ESC research.
Milliken reiterated comments he made in October, noting that restrictions in the resolution would make it difficult for NU scientists to conduct potentially lifesaving research and hurt the university’s ability to recruit leading scientists.
The resolution and further limits on the university’s ESC research abilities came down on the wrong side of history, science and university leaders, Honeycutt said.