The use of surplus embryos for derivation projects is only permissible if the donating couple have been fully informed. Researchers will find templates for information sheets and consent forms below.
Researchers may use the following two templates to prepare an information sheet and an informed consent form. Specific information on the planned project can be added to the available templates. Use of these templates is not mandatory, however.
In principle, both the information sheet and the informed consent form are integral parts of the application documentation that must be submitted to the relevant ethics committee or the Federal Office of Public Health, depending on which is the responsible institution:
| Type of Research | Responsible: Ethics committee (EC) | Responsible: Federal Office of Public Health (FOHP) | N.B: linkage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research project involving human embryonic stem cells imported from abroad | a) Approval by the responsible EC (scientific and ethical assessment of the project) |
b) Licence granted by the FOPH for the import of cell lines (assessment of cell lines and assignment of a reference number) | The import of cell lines is only permitted if a specific project has been approved by the EC |
| Research project for the derivation of human embryonic stem cells from surplus embryos | a) Approval by the responsible EC (scientific and ethical assessment of the associated stem cell project) | b) Licence granted by the FOHP for the derivation of cell lines (assessment of the derivation project) | Derivation is only permitted if it is linked to a stem cell project |
| Research project aimed at improving derivation methods using surplus embryos | Not responsible |
Licence granted by the FOHP for the project aimed at improving derivation methods, in consultation with the independent experts |
|
| Cryopreservation of surplus embryos | Not responsible | Licence granted by the FOHP for the derivation project and the project aimed at improving derivation methods | |
| Export of human embryonic stem cells | Not responsible | Licence granted by the FOHP |
Last modification 05.04.2022