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Stem
Cell Research - Status, Prospects, Prerequisites.
EMBO
has published a summary document providing an introduction to the field
of stem cell biology and its terminology for non-specialists, and presenting
current stem cell research and development in a variety of areas. The
document outlines action needed at policy level to enable stem cell
research to fulfil its potential in Europe, and contains contributions
from a group of leading scientists in stem cell research, application
and patient advocacy, who met under the auspices of EMBO in April 2006.
 Table of
Contents, summary, recommendations and introduction
The
complete document
Intergovernmental hearing on stem cell research,
20 November 2006
Repairing the damaged heart
Expanding the scope of cell replacement therapy
Generation... Regeneration... Cancer
Recommendations
In order that stem cell research and development in Europe stand
the maximum reasonable chance of fulfilling their potential for advancing
healthcare, the biological sciences and the economy…
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The prospective value of stem cell research in benefiting
healthcare, knowledge production and the economy should be publicly
recognised. Human stem cell research should be integrated into the
mainstream of biomedical research, including disease modelling,
study of cellular degenerative processes, development of pharmaceutical
and toxicological screening platforms, and regenerative therapy. |
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Research on both adult and embryonic stem cells,
being highly complementary, should be fully supported; so too should
research into understanding the reprogramming of the nucleus brought
about by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), cell fusion and other
techniques. |
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Communication and professional education on stem cell research
and applications should be promoted with active participation of
scientists and clinicians along with ethicists, regulators and patient
group representatives. |
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Intellectual property relating to the utilisation
of human ES cells and cell lines after their derivation from the
embryo should be patentable in order to encourage the necessary
industry involvement in the translation of stem cell research into
clinical applications. |
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Regulations relating to stem cell research and applications
should be clarified and harmonised, and wherever possible legislative
obstacles to free international collaboration between scientists
removed. |
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Care should be taken that regulatory requirements are not excessively
stringent and do not present an unreasonable financial and/or bureaucratic
barrier to clinical applications, as currently threatens. |
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Efficacy measures and standard operating procedures
for clinical use of stem cells should be developed. In establishing
clinical practices, efficacy measures should be accorded at least
as much significance as that of safety controls. |
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Stem cell banks with high levels of quality assurance
should be encouraged, and international access by scientists and
industry facilitated. |
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Greater harmonisation and interlinking of clinical
trials and their results across Europe should be promoted in order
to facilitate cross-border studies and evaluation of all cell therapies
(including, but not limited to stem cell therapies). Such an initiative
should be for the benefit of all citizens and underpinned by public
funding. |
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Investments should be made in technology development
to enable large-scale processing of stem cells for applications
in pharmaceutical screening, toxicological testing, and cell transplantation.
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EMBO and science
policy
EMBO is an active contributor to European science policy-making. The
organisation monitors key issues, facilitates debate and offers sound
scientific advice. Focus meetings on topical issues, organised by the
EMBO Science & Society Programme, result in publications that provide
a solid scientific background to policy decisions.
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