Eggs and Cash: Stem Cell Agency Considering Easing Restrictions on Stem Cell Lines Derived Using Payments

By Dr. Matthew Watson

The California stem cell agency is
moving to remove an absolute ban on use of stem cell lines derived
from eggs from women who have been paid to provide them.

The action comes as state legislation
is headed for Gov. Jerry Brown's desk that would permit payments for
eggs to be used in research that is not funded by the agency. The measure (AB926) would not alter the separate ban on egg payments
involving research funded by the $3 billion stem cell agency.

Under a proposal that will come before the agency's standards group July 24, CIRM's governing board could
approve the use of stem cell lines derived as a result of payment to
women. Board action would be based on whether stem cell lines would
“advance CIRM's mission” and would follow a staff evaluation
involving scientific and ethical issues.

Over recent years, stem cell
researchers around the country have reported that they are not able
to obtain sufficient eggs without payment. And earlier this year,
paid egg providers were used in research in Oregon that cloned human stem cells, a feat that researchers have struggled with for years.

A CIRM staff report said that the
Oregon research has “generated scientific interest among CIRM
grantees and the desire to utilize derived SCNT lines. CIRM’s
current policy prohibits the use of the (Oregon) SCNT lines because
oocyte donors were financially compensated. CIRM requests the Medical
and Ethical Standards Working Group (SWG) revaluate this prohibition
with regard to CIRM grantees ability to utilize the resulting lines
in light of recent scientific and policy developments.”

Last month, the California Stem Cell
Report queried the agency concerning earlier, sketchy information onthe CIRM blog about a possible change in its compensation rules. We
asked whether the agency was considering “sidestepping” the ban
on compensation. Kevin McCormack, a CIRM spokesman, said, “No, not
at all.” He said it would be premature to elaborate until a firm
proposal was ready.

The staff proposal to be considered on
July 24 said,

“Proposition 71’s 'prohibition on
compensation' compels the ICOC(the agency's governing board) to adopt
standards 'prohibiting compensation to research donors.' This
requirement has been consistently interpreted to prohibit the use of
CIRM funds to financially compensate oocyte (or other cell or tissue)
donors. In 2006, this interpretation was extended to exclude from
use, in CIRM-funded research, any stem cell line where research
donors were financially compensated, even if the derivation was done
without the use of CIRM funds. Proposition 71, however, does not
compel the ICOC (the agency's governing board) to prohibit the use of
stem cell lines where financial compensation is provided to the
oocyte donors, provided that CIRM funds are not used to compensate
the donors or derive the lines.”

The July 24 meeting will be held in San
Francisco. No remote teleconference locations have been announced. If approved, the changes would likely be considered July 25 by the full agency board.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/BF3kpSRnKXQ/eggs-and-cash-stem-cell-agency.html