Recognising the need for an EU-wide regulatory framework on human tissue engineering, the Commission started drafting a proposal for common measures in this area (January 2004).
The initiative is designed to guarantee patient safety and to ensure that tissue engineered products can be marketed without obstacles throughout the European Union to those who need the innovative therapies.
It also aims to encourage medical research in an area that can develop new ways of treating diseases by regenerating diseased organs instead of merely repairing them.
Confirmation of legislation in the pipeline coincided with publication, by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies at the EU Joint Research Centre in Seville, of the first comprehensive map of the emerging human tissue industry in Europe.
"Human tissue-engineered products. Today’s markets and future prospects" is the title of the report, which provides a comprehensive overview of commercial and research activities in the field of human tissue engineering in the EU.
The report confirms that research is currently taking place on products that may provide treatment for cardiovascular diseases (tissue engineered heart valves, vessel grafts, and heart muscle tissue), neurodegenerative diseases, damaged nerve fibres, and spinal cord injury.
Related links
Report adopted on proposed Directive on human tissues and cells
Public hearing on the quality and safety of human tissues and cells
