Research involving embryonal stem cells is regulated in Switzerland by the Stem Cell Research Act (StRA). This stipulates the conditions under which stem cells may be obtained and used in research.
The Federal Act of 19 December 2003 on Research Involving Embryonic Stem Cells (Stem Cell Research Act, StRA) came into force on 1 March 2005.
The act makes it legal in Switzerland to obtain, under certain conditions, stem cells from "surplus" human embryos for research purposes. It also permits the import of embryonic stem cell lines from abroad for research purposes.
Documents
Botschaft zum Bundesgesetz über die Forschung an überzähligen Embryonen und embryonalen Stammzellen (PDF, 605 kB, 20.11.2002)(only available in German, French and Italian)
Erläuternder Bericht zur Verordnung über die Forschung an embryonalen Stammzellen (PDF, 95 kB, 07.01.2004)(only available in German, French and Italian)
Last modification 13.03.2024
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Division of Biomedicine
Human Research Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 463 51 54