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Ground rules for Finnish research on embryos and stem cells

February 20, 2002

Finnish researchers held a discussion forum on embryonic and stem cell research in November 2001. The researchers surveyed the use of embryos and stem cells in Finnish research and discussed the goals, fields of emphasis and ethical principles of this research in Finland. More than 140 researchers and other players from. e.g. universities, infertility clinics and members of ethical committees of hospital districts attended the meeting and took part in the vivid discussion. As a result of the forum, the following statement was given:

TRANSLATION FROM FINNISH

Statement on Embryo and Stem Cell Research in Finland
Adopted on the 2nd of November, 2001, in a Forum of Embryo and Stem Cell Researchers

Introduction

The stem cells of an embryo can differentiate into any cell type of the organ system, and on culture dishes they can be cultured essentially without limit. Experiments in animals have shown that the embryonic stem cells are, due to their abilities to grow and differentiate, the best cell transplants for cell replacement therapies. Corresponding clinical trials on human embryonic stem cells have not yet been carried out. Stem cell cultures have a central role in drug development work and research on toxic substances as well.

Among the great news in biomedical research is cell replacement therapy, which has given promising results for both in animal experiments and in small-scale clinical trials. Transplantations of blood-forming stem cells are already part of established therapies. With variable results, transplants of embryonic nerve cells have been used for treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and some other degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Transplantations of pancreatic islet cells have resulted in either temporary or permanent cures for diabetes. The problems with cell replacement therapies are the scant availability of transferrable cells and the rejection of such cells by the recipient organ system. Embryonic stem cell lines offer solutions to these problems.

Central challenges to the research are identification of human stem cell properties, discovery of the regulatory mechanisms of differentiation, and fulfillment of the promise of animal experiments by clinical investigations.

The Act (No. 488/1999) on medical research in the Finnish law regulates medical research of human embryos. Surplus embryos resulting from fertility treatments may be used for research. The production of embryos for research purposes only is prohibited. Embryonic research must not be undertaken without the written, informed consent of the donors of the germ cells. An embryo used in research must not be transferred into a human being, nor kept alive for a period exceeding 14 days from the formation of the embryo. Embryonic and germ cell research with the purpose of altering hereditary characteristics is prohibited, unless the research is concerned with curing or preventing a severe hereditary disease. Compliance with the law is enforced by the ethical committees of health care districts.

Embryos obtained in fertility treatment and not transferred into a womb may be, according to the permission of the couple in question, destroyed, donated to an unknown recipient, or used for research.

Statement

The objective of the statement is to bring forth the researchers’ views on the principles of embryonic and stem cell research, to define the limits of research where not specified in the Finnish Law, and to launch a public discussion of the issue.

A human embryo is defined as the cluster of cells emerging from fertilization, which has not attached to a womb. Research on human embryos should be directed to studies, which aim at increasing the knowledge about early embryonic development, developing treatments for diseases and infertility, as well as clarifying the etiological and genetic background of diseases.

Because cloning human beings involves ethical problems and considerable risks of fetal defects, we oppose the cloning of human beings and endeavor to prevent its realization with the means available to the research community.

The spectrum of the existing stem cell lines of human embryos is insufficient. Thus, it is necessary to produce more stem cell lines from embryos. They are cultured in laboratories in culture dishes and from them differentiated cells are grown for, among other things, cell replacement therapies.

An important potential clinical field for the application of stem cells is the use of cell transplants to replace damaged or destroyed tissues. There are two ways to avoid rejection of cell transplants: production of stem cell lines with different tissue types, and the technique of nuclear transfer. Stem cells identical with the patient’s own cells can probably be produced by transferring a nucleus of the patient’s differentiated cell into an anucleated egg cell. Stem cells produced by nuclear transfer make it possible to prevent the rejection of cells within the body. The nuclear transfer method to produce stem cell lines should continue to be permitted.

We are prepared to co-operate with legislators to ensure the continuation of embryonic and stem cell research as well as the definition of reasonable limits for such research.

Finnish Association of Developmental Biology
Finnish Gynecological Association - small task force on reproductive endocrinology
Center for Reproductive and Developmental Medicine (CREDE)
Finnish Association of IVF Laboratories

Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki)