Blood, Plasma and Human Tissues

New e-MSc Course in Haemoglobinopathies

University College London (UCL) in collaboration with Thalassaemia International Federation is launching the first academic course for health professionals specialising in haemoglobinopathies.
This unique e-learning course offers health professionals from around the world the opportunity to pursue a specialist qualification from a leading university with minimum disruption to professional and personal lives. The course will provide a thorough understanding of the holistic care and all (...)

Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) to hold two conferences in Singapore

11th International Conference on Thalassaemia and Haemoglobinopathies & 13th International TIF Conference for Thalassaemia Patients and Parents 8–11 October 2008 Singapore
This major biennial event is a highlight on the thalassaemia community calendar, attracting health professionals, patients and their families from around the world for five intensive days of informative presentations on the latest advances in the treatment, cure and prevention of thalassaemia and other haemoglobin (...)

A new report on consent and confidentiality in genetic practices

The Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Human Genetics have joined forces to publish a new report on Consent and confidentiality in genetic practices.
It aims to develop guidance on:
genetic testing ans sharing information,
obtaining consent prior to genetic tests,
regulations for giving and sharing genetic information with family members and between professionals,
genetic investigations on stored human tissues.
It comes timely with the highly sensitive debates on (...)

MEPs contamined by 76 different toxic chemicals

WWF and The Co-operative Bank took and analysed the blood of 47 people from all over Europe in December 2003. These included 39 Members of the European Parliament, 4 Observers from accession countries, 1 former MEP and 3 WWF staff, representing 17 countries in Europe. The results released on 21 April 2004 are unacceptable.
It reveal that every person is contaminated with a cocktail of persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic chemicals including chemicals from each of the 5 groups of chemicals (...)

Commission report on the challenges of biometrics

The Commission has published the report ’Biometrics at the Frontiers: Assessing the Impact on Society’. The study assesses how biometric technologies, like fingerprinting and iris and face recognition, will impact on our daily lives.
The report is published in the context of the new EU requirement for biometric passports, visas and residence permits from 2006. Biometrics are often thought of only in terms of security and border controls, but the report makes the claim that (...)

MEPs issue report on EU funding of stem cell research

The EP on 19 November adopted its report on EU funding of stem cell research, going along with the Industry Committee’s line of advocating a less restrictive approach than the Commission. On 9 July 2003, the Commission issued a proposal which aims to establish common guidelines for approving EU funding for stem cell research projects under the 6th Research Framework Programme.
The new rules are due to be adopted before the current moratorium on embryo research terminates at the end of (...)

Traffic of human organs

By adopting a proposition for a legal resolution on the prohibition of the trafficking of human organs and tissues by 432 votes in favour, 25 abstentions Parliament made a stance against trade in this area across the entire EU.
The proposition, voted on 20 October 2003, introduces a clause on extra-territorial aspects so that people trying to purchase organs/tissues that have been taken from people from third countries to the EU will be committing a crime according to European Law.
EP (...)

Final stage on the debate on EU funding of stem cell research

On 22 September, the European Commission presented its ethical guidelines for EU funding of stem cell research to the Competitiveness Council. They should enter into force before the end of 2003.
During this Competitiveness Council, Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin presented the Commission’s proposal for implementing provisions for EU funding for research activities involving human embryonic stem cells under the 6th Framework Programme.
Following the decision to stop funding stem (...)

Commission Decides Guidelines on Funding Stem Cell Research

After an initial week delay, last 9 July the Commission agreed on guidelines that will allow the funding of research involving the use of embryonic stem cells left over from, or extracted but not suitable, for fertility treatment.
The decision is likely to cause consternation in the European Parliament, which voted in April to ban the practice. This blanket ban however was not accepted by member states who asked the Commission to simply regulate its funding of such projects.
Under the (...)

Council conclusions on health 2 June 2003

On 2 June the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of the European Union met in Luxembourg. Health issues discussed included the Pharmaceuticals review, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the draft Directive on Human tissues and cells. Other items on the agenda were an update on the SARS situation, and on the high-level reflection process on cross-border patient mobility. The Council also adopted conclusions on combatting stigma and (...)

European Patent Office Confirms Revocation of Baby Blood Patent

The European Patent Office (EPO) confirmed on 8 April 2003 its decision made in 1999 to revoke all the PharmaStem (formerly Biocyte) patent claims on collecting, freezing and using blood from foetuses and umbilical cords for transplants and medical and therapeutic treatments.
Greens/EFA press release

Tackling obesity in infancy

There is compelling evidence that breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity during childhood. While short-term benefits of breastfeeding are well established, possible long-term benefits beyond two years of age have been documented recently.
Obesity has become a frequent nutritional disorder in children. It is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
Breastfeeding’s beneficial effects on later cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure and plasma lipid (...)

First standard for Human Genetic Test approved

The first international standard for a human genetic test was approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Expert Committee on Biological Standardisation (ECSB) on November 17 2004.
The test, one of the most frequently carried out, is for Factor V Leiden, a particular genetic mutation creating a predisposition to thrombosis - a potentially life threatening blood disorder.
The standard provides reference material enabling all laboratories worldwide to carry out the test consistently and (...)

MEPs raise concerns about sale of human eggs for fertility treatment

A group of MEPs, including Mrs Hiltrud Breyer MEP (Greens/EFA - DE), Mr Peter Liese MEP (EPP/ED - DE), Mr Adamos Adamou MEP (GUE/NGL - CY) and Ms Maria Martens MEP (EPP/ED - NL), have raised concerns about media reports of a trade of human egg cells from Romania to clinics in the UK.
In many European countries there are shortages of donated eggs and long waiting lists for fertility treatment. The news report that young Romanian women are being paid to donate their eggs led the UK (...)

**UPDATED** European Council approves new legislation on human tissues and cells

The European Council adopted on 3rd March 2004 a proposal for a directive setting out harmonised safety and quality standards for dealing with human tissues and cells.
The Council adopted all the amendments proposed by the European Parliament in second reading.
The dossier was amended in second reading on the rules for voluntary donation, traceability and types of source material used for transplantation.
Standards of quality and safety of human tissues and cells
UPDATE: On February 2006 (...)

DG Research prepares legislation on human tissue engineering

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 (...)

MEPs take position on human tissues directive

MEPs adopted a recommendation on the human tissue dossier, which is now in its second reading.
On 4 November 2003, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy of the European Parliament adopted a recommendation on the human tissue dossier with amendments on voluntary and unpaid donation, but rejecting amendments on ethical aspects and research. Following an initial discussion on 6 October, the Committee adopted a recommendation on 4 November (drafted by Peter Liese (...)

Council adopts common position on Human tissues and cells legislation

Common possition on human tissues and cells adopted on 22 July.
The Agriculture Council adopted, under a common position, the political agreement reached by the Health Council on 2 June 2003 on a proposal for a Directive setting quality and safety standards for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells.
In accordance with the codecision procedure, this common position will now be forwarded to the European Parliament for a second (...)

Report adopted on proposed Directive on Human tissues and cells

On 25 March 2003, the European Parliament’s Environment, Consumers and Public Health Committee adopted the report by MEP Peter Liese (EPP-ED, DE) on the Commission proposal setting quality and safety standards in relation to human tissues and cells.
Article 152 of the Amsterdam Treaty specifically states that the EU will adopt legalisation on blood and blood products (finalised in late 2002) and human tissues and cells.
159 amendments were tabled to the report, which was voted in first (...)

Public hearing on the quality and safety of human tissues and cells

Eucomed, the medical technology industry association co-sponsored a public hearing on the quality and safety of human tissues and cells hsted by Dr Peter Liese MEP and that took place at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday 29 January.
The European Commission - DG Sanco published on 19 June 2002 its proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on setting standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, storage, and (...)