Stem cells on South African shores: Proposed guidelines for comprehensive informed consent

Towards guidelines for informed consent for prospective stem cell research

“…[5,6] It is almost impossible to provide accurate information about the path that iPSCs will traverse in their lifetime, given the rapid advances in this field. [10] However, when conveying information to study participants, efforts should be made to be explicit regarding current controversial issues in this regard. For example, it should be stated that germ line cell derivatives and reproductive applications will not be attempted or developed with the generated iPSCs, and one should provide the reassurance that current legislation prohibits certain uses of biological samples, such as the reproductive cloning of humans (National Health Act 61/2003: 57(1)).…”

“…This time should be used constructively and productively to possibly develop prospective policies for the use of iPSCs for therapeutic transplantation in the future and also to address the scientific, legal and ethical implications of establishing and using iPSCs in the laboratory. [10] For SA to continue to develop the capacity to incorporate new biomedical technologies, it must become proactive in formulating clear guidelines for the oversight of IC for future anticipated and as yet, unanticipated use of multipotent and pluripotent stem cells in research. …”