2. What regulations govern stem cell research at the McEwen Centre?
The McEwen Centre adheres to all institutional and national regulations governing stem cell research in Canada.
Research Ethics Boards
All research conducted at the McEwen Centre which involves human cells or tissues requires prior review and approval by the Research Ethics Board at the institution involved. For example, human stem cell research conducted at University Health Network (UHN) requires the prior approval of UHN’s Research Ethics Board. In addition to Research Ethics Board approval, all research in Canada involving human pluripotent stem cells must adhere to the guidelines described below.
National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canada’s largest funding agency for health research, has established Guidelines for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research. These guidelines have been adopted by Canada’s three largest research funding agencies: CIHR, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The Guidelines require all research proposals in Canada which involve human pluripotent stem cells to be reviewed by a Stem Cell Oversight Committee before proceeding. The Committee’s members include experts in ethics, stem cell biology, law, and social sciences, as well as representatives of the general public. For more information, visit CIHR http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca |
