Beware of the commercialization of human cells and tissues: situation in the European Union.
With this analysis we would like to raise some issues that emerge as a result of recent evolutions in the burgeoning field of human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based product (HCT/P) transplantation, and this in the light of the current EU regulatory framework. This paper is intended as an open letter addressed to the EU policy makers, who will be charged with the review and revision of the current legislation. We propose some urgent corrections or additions to cope with the rapid advances in biomedical science, an extensive commercialization of HCT/Ps, and the growing expectation of the general public regarding the ethical use of altruistically donated cells and tissues. Without a sound wake-up call, the diverging interests of this newly established 'healthcare' industry and the wellbeing of humanity will likely lead to totally unacceptable situations, like some of which we are reporting here.
Human Cell and Tissue Banks, Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Burn Wound Centre, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussel, Belgium. jean-paul.pirnay@mil.be
Jean-Paul
JP
Pirnay
Alain
A
Vanderkelen
Nadine
N
Ectors
Christian
C
Delloye
Denis
D
Dufrane
Etienne
E
Baudoux
Michel
M
Van Brussel
Michael P
MP
Casaer
Daniel
D
De Vos
Jean-Pierre
JP
Draye
Thomas
T
Rose
Serge
S
Jennes
Pierre
P
Neirinckx
Geert
G
Laire
Martin
M
Zizi
Gilbert
G
Verbeken
D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics*; D018581:Technology Transfer; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000191:economics*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000191:economics*
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations