Today's Globe: stem cell research rules, healthcare lobbyists, Gaucher drugs

The federal government issued final rules yesterday that expand taxpayer-funded research using embryonic stem cells, easing scientists’ fears that some of the oldest batches might not qualify and promising a master list of all that do.

The nation’s largest insurers, hospitals, and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members and retired members of Congress in hopes of influencing their old bosses and colleagues, according to an analysis of lobbying disclosures and other records.

The Food and Drug Administration is moving to speed up access to experimental drugs for Gaucher disease to help offset likely shortages of Cerezyme, the top-selling drug made by Genzyme Corp.