Sylvean Biotech Director for legal affairs, Donrich Jordaan, recently submitted a position paper on the legal implications, globally, of stem-cell research to the Department of Health in Pretoria - with concrete policy recommendations on specific criteria and regulatory structures for such research in this country.
Highly topical and controversial worldwide, stem-cell research in South Africa has been in limbo since the National Health Act of 2003 made in principle provision for such research locally. Researchers are waiting for the Department of Health to draft regulations in terms of the Act to proceed with the research.
The massive medical and economic potential of stem-cell research has seen countries worldwide putting supportive regulatory regimes and other incentives in place, such as grants and subsidies, to promote this research.
In an effort to contribute constructively to the local process and speed up the regulatory drafting process, Jordaan prepared a 30-page position paper, analysing the legal position of stem-cell research in several other countries, and concluding with constructive recommendations for the DOH to expedite the process locally.
"The position paper was received positively by the department," says Jordaan. "Provided that certain important ethical guidelines are met, I hope that stem-cell research will soon take off in South Africa. Our country has great expertise in the field, and we owe it to future generations to seriously explore the opportunities offered by stem-cell research," he adds.
Jordaan is also part-time head of the research unit for policy studies at the University of Pretoria and publishes regularly on the subject of bio-law and bio-ethics in academic journals and the popular press.
Sylvean Biotech is a tenant in the Maxum Business Incubator at The Innovation Hub and specialises in the innovative use of modern biotechnology.
For more information, contact Robert Walters at Sylvean Biotech on (012) 844 0270, e-mail robert@sylvean.com, or visit www.sylvean.com.
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