Stem cell statement

The Macular Society believes that stem cell research has the potential to bring great benefit to people with macular conditions. It therefore supports the use of all types of stem cells including embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells.

It is important that such research is fully controlled and we support the strict regulation which exists in the UK under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Acts 1990 and 2008. Several regulatory bodies are responsible for enforcing the legislation including the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the Human Tissue Authority and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC) oversees the ethical conduct of stem cell and gene therapy clinical trials in the UK.

The society currently supports a number of projects which utilise stem cells to further our understanding of macular conditions and work towards new therapies.