Division Specific procedural modalities for research activities involving human embryonic stem cells

When evaluating, and selecting proposals involving the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and before preparing the related grant agreements, the ERCEA uses the following procedure:

The general scientific peer review procedure, as described at section 3 above applies. In addition, the scientific peer review independent experts assess whether:

• the project serves important research aims to advance scientific knowledge in basic research in Europe or to increase medical knowledge for the development of diagnostic, preventive or therapeutic methods to be applied to humans,

• the use of hESC is necessary in order to achieve the scientific objectives set forth in the proposal. In particular, applicants must document that appropriate validated alternatives (in particular, stem cells from other sources or origins) are not suitable and/or available to achieve the expected goals of the proposal. This latter provision does not apply to research comparing hESC with other human stem cells.