Guidelines for Using Cells from Established Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research

The Guidelines for Using Cells from Established Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research
New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committees

Date of publication: September 2006

ISBN 0-478-30054-9 (book)
ISBN 0-478-30055-7 (website)

HP 4301

In November 2005, the Ministry of Health released the Guidelines for Using Cells from Established Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research: Discussion Document for public consultation. The discussion document contained information about human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research, outlined the ethical issues raised by hESC research, summarised the policies of a number of countries on hESC research, and invited feedback on the proposed Guidelines for using Cells from Established Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research.

Written submissions closed on 3 March 2006.

The proposed Guidelines for using Cells from Established Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research were reviewed in light of submissions received. The guidelines allow New Zealand researchers to use cells from established hESC lines in research with a number of restrictions, including mandatory ethical review of hESC research applications.

The Guidelines will be reviewed by the Ministry following the outcome of the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology’s consideration and public consultation on the research use of human embryos in New Zealand, including their use to derive stem cell lines, in the second half of 2006.

Publication availability

The discussion document is available to download on the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committees website (www.ethicscommittees.health.govt.nz)