Question No. 626
Mrs S V Kalyan Democratic Alliance (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department provides information on the current situation in respect of legislation and related regulations with regard to stem cell transplants; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) The department does provide information on the current situation in respect of legislation and related regulations with regard to stem cell transplants.
(b) Regulations with regard to stem cells derive from the National Health Act 2003 and are:
(i) Regulation No. R. 376 4 May 2007, regulations relating to human stem cells;
(ii) Regulation No. R. 7 5 January 2007, Annexure A 1 - National Health Act, 2003 – Regulations regarding the use of human DNA, RNA, cultured cells, stem cells, blastomeres, polar bodies, embryos, embryonic tissue and small tissue biopsies for diagnostic testing, health research and therapeutics.
Due to the rapid developments in this area, a task team made up of experts in the field are currently considering these regulations and will advise the Department on their findings. Changes to the regulations may follow.
Issued by: Department of Health
7 September 2009
