Israel

Laws, Regulation, and Funding

Israel is progressive regarding stem cell research, though for political reasons, they may abstain from voting on such issues in the United Nations. Public discussion of stem cell research is rare, with some media presentation and debate at the Knesset (Israeli's Parliament) Science and Technology committee when lawmaking is discussed.

Israeli law allows for the procurement of human embryonic stem cells from early—stage [Page 274]embryos left over from assisted reproduction (in vitro fertilization) and for the creation of human embryos, including cloned embryos, for research. The Human Cloning and Genetic Manipulation law has been in effect since 1998 and remains in effect until March 2009. It prohibits reproductive cloning or genetic manipulation of embryos to be used in in vitro fertilization.

Funding for research includes grants from the Ministry of Science, the Israel Science Foundation, research and development arrangements with other countries including Australia, grants, and private funding.

Organizations

The Israeli Stem Cell Research Forum was formed in 2005 and is administered by the Israeli Ministry of Health. The forum's mission is to advance the translation of fundamental stem cell research into clinical applications, including in the area of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine relies on controlling cell development to grow healthy tissues using cell—based therapy to improve organ function in diseased or injured organs and tissues, instead of drugs or devices.

The Cell Therapy Consortium is a networking body with the intent of translating research into commercial products. The consortium is divided into three groups. The adult stem cell group focuses on isolating and growing stem cells from various blood sources. The embryonic stem cell group creates clinically usable human embryonic stem cell lines. The tools development group uses applied research and development to move scientific breakthroughs into usable therapies. Included under the auspices of the consortium are some of Israel's biotech companies working with blood, bone, heart, and nerve cells.

The Israeli Consortium Bereshit (Genesis) for Cell Therapy was formed to allow cell therapy companies in Israel to provide stem cell technologies and products—including stem cell lines—to researchers around the world. The Israeli Stem Cell Society is a networking body established to promote collaboration for stem cell researchers internationally in the vast number of fields related to stem cell research, including developmental biology, functional genetics, and clinical professionals. The society makes its home at the Technicon.

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