German translation of the revised ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation published


06/17/2022   News


The guidelines have been revised to cover advances in stem cell research and its clinical application, as well as to address the associated ethical, social and political aspects. The translation was made possible through a cooperation of the German Stem Cell Network and the Stem Cell Network NRW.

In recent years there have been notable key developments in stem cell research as well as a rapid progress in several areas of human embryo-related research such as the technologies for extended in vitro culture of human embryos. To respond to these advances in science, the ISSCR Guidelines, which were last adapted in 2016, have been revised by an international task force of about 50 experts from 14 countries (scientists, clinicians, ethicists, lawyers, and policy specialists). The changes include recommendations for using human embryo models, lab-derived gametes, and human-animal chimeras as well as proposing a modification of the widely accepted two-week maximum for growing human embryos in culture. Even though the guidelines themselves are only recommendations and not legally binding, they serve as a standard in the field and as a resource for scientists, regulators, funders, physicians, and members of the public, including patients. Furthermore, they provide a basis for regulatory frameworks in countries without existing regulatory authorities.

The ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, published in English in May 2021, have now been translated into German and are available for download here. The German translation was edited and proof-read by Daniel Besser (GSCN), Sira Groscurth (StN), Stefanie Mahler (GSCN), Ole Pless (Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP) and Hannah Schickl (Berlin Institute of Health at Charité). Funding for the translation was provided jointly by German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) and the Stem Cell Network North-Rhine Westphalia (StN).

ISSCR Guidelines für Stammzellforschung und klinische Translation, Version 1.1, Mai 2021

ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Version 1.0, May 2021

For more detailed information and comments on the guidelines, please refer to the following accompanying articles: