The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Embryo Models Working Group has recently issued updated recommendations for the oversight and regulation of stem cell-based embryo models (SCBEM). These recommendations aim to keep up with rapid advancements and ensure responsible scientific progress.

The group's proposed recommendations are outlined in a new paper published in Stem Cell Reports. SCBEMs are three-dimensional structures that mimic crucial aspects of early embryonic development, offering significant potential to advance our knowledge of human developmental biology and reproductive science.

Amander Clark, co-chair of the ISSCR Embryo Models Working Group and an expert in human stem cell and reproductive science at the University of California, Los Angeles, emphasized the transformative potential of stem cell-based embryo models. She highlighted the importance of studying these models within a framework that considers ethical, legal, and social implications.

Janet Rossant, co-chair of the ISSCR Embryo Models Working Group and an expert in developmental biology, stressed the need to evaluate existing guidelines to keep pace with technological advancements. The recommendations put forth in the paper, titled 'Stem cell-based embryo models: the 2021 ISSCR stem cell guidelines revisited,' address recent scientific progress that allows for the creation of more complex models efficiently and without relying on major extraembryonic lineages.

• All research involving three-dimensional SCBEMs should undergo appropriate review.
• Research must have a clear scientific rationale.
• Research should be subject to defined timelines.

The paper also suggests eliminating the distinction between integrated and non-integrated models to provide clarity in the field, guide researchers and oversight committees, and maintain public confidence in the responsible advancement of SCBEM research. The proposed recommendations will be presented to the ISSCR Board of Directors in June for consideration as part of an update to the 2021 ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation.

Source: Phys.org