Press Releases & Advisories

In written and oral testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee today, former ISSCR president Sally Temple describes fetal tissue research as essential in studying and developing therapies for cancer, HIV, Zika, tuberculous, and other devastating diseases.

Reports indicate that scientists in China have used CRISPR-mediated genome editing during in vitro fertilization to modify the genetic material of two embryos that were subsequently implanted into a patient, leading to the birth of two babies. As ISSCR and a number of other organizations have previously stated, the use of nuclear genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR, during fertility treatment is premature and should not be attempted at this time.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to StemGenex of San Diego after an investigation found its cellular therapy does not conform with good manufacturing practice requirements, is being illegally marketed to treat conditions for which it has not been proven safe or effective, and is putting patients at risk.

In this month's issue of the ISSCR journal, 2018 award recipients Graziella Pellegrini and Michele De Luca (Innovation Award), and Connie Eaves (Tobias Lecture), share perspectives on their science, and scientists write about the ethical challenges of premature delivery of stem cell-based therapies.

The ISSCR writes in support of the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) complaint requesting relief from discriminatory airline carriage policies that impede the transportation of animals for biomedical research.

The ISSCR has responded to the European Commission proposal and the European Parliament's amendments for Horizon Europe, the seven-year research and innovation funding program to follow Horizon 2020.

The ISSCR is troubled by the HHS decision to “conduct a comprehensive review of all fetal tissue research.” The directive appears to come after intensive lobbying efforts by special interest groups with the goals of delaying or curtailing scientific research that relies on fetal tissue.

Many of us find time in the summer to reflect on work and recharge our batteries. Vacations, visits with friends, and time with family all help get away from everyday concerns in the lab and gain some perspective to inform the scientific path for the year ahead.

The ISSCR 2018 Annual Meeting went “down under” to Melbourne, Australia where 3,000 stem cell scientists, clinicians, and professionals from 52 countries gathered to share their latest research, network with colleagues, and explore the latest technologies driving the field forward.

The ISSCR is pleased to announce Douglas A. Melton, PhD, Harvard University, as the incoming president of the ISSCR and its board of directors. Melton assumed the post on 23 June, 2018, immediately following the 16th ISSCR Annual Meeting in Melbourne, Australia.

The ISSCR has appointed Martin F. Pera, professor at the Jackson Laboratory, U.S., as the next editor-in-chief of Stem Cell Reports, the organization’s open-access journal. Pera will succeed Christine Mummery, who led the journal since its launch in 2013. Pera will assume the post in January, 2019.

The ISSCR opposes the U.S. House of Representatives proposal to ban federal funding for fetal tissue research. ISSCR President Hans Clevers released a statement on the issue.

The ISSCR will hold its 2021 annual meeting in Hamburg, Germany, the first time the organization will be meeting in that city. The meeting is expected to draw 4,000 stem cell researchers and professionals from around the globe to the Congress Center Hamburg, scheduled to open in 2019. The meeting will be held 23-26 June, 2021.

The ISSCR is disappointed with the enactment of the ‘Right to Try’ law. Along with more than 100 patient and research groups opposing the bill, we believe it will put patients at risk and undermine the effective FDA Expanded Access Program already in place to give seriously ill patients access to experimental treatments.

The ISSCR is pleased that federal prosecutors in the U.S. have taken action to halt the marketing and delivery of unproven stem cell treatments at clinics they allege are operating outside of FDA regulation.

Progress in stem cell research and its translation to medicine is the focus of the International Society for Stem Cell Research annual meeting 20-23 June at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

The ISSCR appreciates the new framework proposed by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the regulation of human cell and tissue products that use a person’s own cells (‘autologous use’).

Credentialed reporters can register and attend the 2018 annual meeting in Melbourne, Australia. They will have access to the many stem cell researchers and clinicians from around the world who will be discussing recent findings and progress that is driving development of stem cell treatments and cures for disease.

Recipients of the 2018 awards will be presented at the society’s annual meeting, 20-23 June in Melbourne, Australia: ISSCR Award for Innovation, Dr. Susan Lim Award for Outstanding Young Investigator, Tobias Award Lecture, and Public Service Award.

Scientific excellence is at the core of the ISSCR and is reflected each year in the annual meeting, where exceptional science is shared, discussed, and deliberated. This exchange is key to advancing the scientific dialogue that moves the field forward. The 2018 program in Melbourne, Australia continues that tradition, featuring groundbreaking research presented in plenary, concurrent, and poster sessions.