Austria – Case 1-10 according to Austrian Law

Abstract

Human embryonic stem cells were transplanted into the brain (lateral ventricle) of mice embryos at day 14 following their creation in vivo after these mice embryos were removed from their mothers’ uteruses. The mice embryos were then replaced and delivered naturally (without caesarean section). The chimeric mice lived a couple of months and were then killed. It is not indicated where the human stem cells originated. There is no clear cut prohibition of this method under Austrian law. Using mice as “guinea pigs” is not proscribed a priori. The rules contained in the “Act on Animal Experiments” (TVG), Official Gazette 1989, no. 501, have to be obeyed. For further details cf. my country report, pp. 717-719. The harvesting of human stem cells is a different matter. According to the “Act on Reproductive Medicine” (FMedG), Official Gazette 1992, no. 275, embryos shall be used for reproduction purposes only. Destructive research on embryos is proscribed categorically. Therefore, deriving human embryonic stem cells from embryos (in vitro), is not permitted according to sec. 9 of the FMedG. For further details cf. my country report, pp. 721-724.