The CIHR Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research

March 12, 2002

On March 4, 2002, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) released guidelines for CIHR-funded research on human stem cells.

These guidelines are the product of a lengthy consultation process, involving the release of a consultation paper in March 2001 and subsequent input from 27 organizations and 89 individuals.

It is important to note that the CIHR guidelines were drafted in consultation with health care professionals, scientists and numerous groups and individuals. These guidelines are consistent with the principles set out in the government's May 2001 draft legislation on Assisted Human Reproduction.

It is understood that, should there be differences between the CIHR guidelines and legislation passed by Parliament, the guidelines will be adjusted to reflect the legislative provisions.

The Minister of Health has made clear her intention to introduce legislation related to Assisted Human Reproduction before May 10.

The guidelines only apply for researchers who receive funding from the CIHR. They do not govern stem cell research conducted or funded by provincial or private sources.

The guidelines allow scientists funded by the CIHR to obtain pluripotent stem cells only from embryos that are created for the purpose of assisted reproduction that would otherwise be destroyed. In addition, researchers will be required to obtain informed consent from those individuals for whom the embryos were created in the first place.

Certain types of research on stem cells will not receive funding under the guidelines. For instance, cloning and the creation of embryos for research purposes will not be supported by the CIHR – only embryos originally created for reproductive purposes may be used and under certain conditions.

The CIHR will also establish an Oversight Committee on Stem Cell Research to review proposals for stem cell research.