MOH accepts Bioethics Advisory Committee recommendations on Human-Animal Combinations in Stem Cell Research

27 Sep 2010

The Ministry of Health (MOH) accepts the BAC’s recommendations on Human-Animal Combinations (HAC) in Stem Cell Research. There is a wide range of possible HAC research, some of which can be quite controversial.  BAC has supported only two types of HAC research: (a) the creation of cytoplasmic hybrids; and (b) the introduction of human stem cells into animals, in view of their potential scientific value and likely importance to Singapore. But even then, the research should be strictly regulated.

MOH agrees with the BAC to support stem cell research involving these two types of HAC and with clear therapeutic potential, provided it is strictly regulated. MOH will set up a robust regulatory framework to ensure that such research operate within boundaries acceptable to society.

MOH will draft a new Bill to regulate research involving cytoplasmic hybrids and the introduction of human pluripotent stem cells into animals. The recommendations of BAC will be fully incorporated in this Bill.

MOH will also work with the Ministry of National Development and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority to establish a robust enforcement framework to ensure compliance with BAC’s recommendations.

In developing the Bill, we will study best practices from overseas. MOH will also conduct a public consultation to gather views from the public and professional bodies once we have worked out the detailed features of the Bill, likely by next year.