Stem-cell registry to boost new therapies[fr][de] 

The Commission decided on 29 March 2007 to fund the creation of a European registry for human embryonic stem-cell lines with some €1 million EU-funding from the Sixth Research Framework Programme (FP6). 

Keeping a register of all existing lines is expected to enhance the co-ordination, efficiency and rationalisation of human embryonic stem-cell research in Europe as it will provide a platform to allow the monitoring of existing research and ensure that the lines are better used by scientists.

"This registry plays an important part, making the most effective use of existing stem- cell lines and avoiding the unnecessary creation of new ones. It will also be useful in the creation of common international standardisation for the characterisation of these stem cells, essential for progress towards new cures and therapies," said Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik. 

The initiative has no precedent in the world. Ten EU countries active in this research will be involved in the registry: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. A number of non-EU countries are also set to join the project - namely Australia, Israel, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States. 

The registry will be publicly accessible via the internet. The site will disseminate data about cell lines and inform interested parties concerning the latest developments on, for example, clinical trials. In addition, the registry will provide details on the provenance of the lines and contact information.

Embryonic stem cell-lines  are cultures of cells derived from an early-stage embryo under in vitro conditions that allow proliferation without differentiation for months to years. These cells are pluripotent and can develop into each of the more than 200 cell types of the adult body when given sufficient and necessary stimulation for a specific cell type. For this reason, embryonic stem cells are a potential source for regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after injury or disease. 

To date, no approved medical treatments have been derived from embryonic stem- cell research and many countries have forbidden either embryonic stem-cell research or the production of new embryonic stem-cell lines. 

In the EU, Austria, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland and the Slovak Republic have prohibited the procurement of stem cells from embryos, whereas France, Germany and Italy allow the import of new stem-cell lines, but not their creation. The UK and Belgian policies are the most permissive on the issue as their respective laws allow the creation of human embryos for the procurement of embryonic stem cells.