Legislation

Research on human embryos is currently prohibited in France. On a purely derogatory basis and for five years, the law of bioethics 2004-800 of August 6, 2004 with decrees of application published on February 6, 2006, nevertheless allows research for therapeutic purpose under strictly controlled conditions. These research programs are controlled by the Agency for Biomedecine which makes sure at each stage that ethical and conformity rules are enforced.

 

Research on human embryonic stem cells, and on the various derived progenies, must aim at the development or validation of therapies applicable to serious illnesses. I-STEM does not take part, directly or indirectly, to any program but those authorized by the Agency for Biomedecine and carried out under its control.

 

The I-STEM project has benefited of the first authorization, by the Agency for Biomedecine, for the importation in France of hES lines coming from abroad in accordance with the current legislation. Inspected by the Agency in June 2007, I-STEM had a fully positive report, without any request for modification, as well for its installations, its procedures as for the respect of its programs.