Councils adopt interim stem research cell measures

Canada’s three granting agencies have adopted the Interim Tri-Agency Measures for human pluripotent stem cell research, effective June 12 until September/04. The councils took the unprecedented step after Bill C-13, which addressed research using human embryonic research, died on the order paper when Parliament recessed for the summer. The councils will harmonize their policy — developed from guidelines it adopted in March/02 — with the new legislation if and when it is passed when Parliament resumes in the fall. The policy covers all new or ongoing stem cell research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. In adopting the interim measures, the councils stated that such a move was necessary due to the acceleration in Canada of interest and funding for stem cell research. It will also allow time for the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics to provide advice on how to incorporate current stem cell research guidelines into the 1998 Tri-Council Policy Statement on the Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. A copy of the new measures and related information can be found at www.cihr.ca....