Federal Act of 19 December 2003 on Research Involving Embryonic Stem Cells and Ordinance of 2 February 2006 on Research Involving Embryonic Stem Cells

Article 18 StRA - Register
The Office shall keep a public register recording the embryonic stem cells existing in Switzerland and related research projects.

Article 28 SCRO - Purpose of register
The register referred to in Article 18 of the Act shall, in particular:
a. serve for the submission of embryonic stem cells for research projects conducted in Switzerland in accordance with Article 9 paragraph 1c of the Act;
b. enable assessment of whether appropriate embryonic stem cells are available in Switzerland for a given research project;
c. give an overview of current or finished research projects in Switzerland.

Article 29 SCRO - Register contents
1 Whoever produces embryonic stem cells, conducts a research project designed to improve the production processes for embryonic stem cells or a project using embryonic stem cells or even imports embryonic stem cells shall notify the following to the office:

a. description of project in the context of which embryonic stem cells are produced or used, stating:
1. project title,
2. project purpose,
3. name and address of project management,
4. expected project commencement date and probable project duration;

b. characterisation of embryonic stem cells produced or used in the project and characterisation of lines of embryonic stem cells used. Lines of embryonic stem cells shall mean the pluripotent cells taken from the cells of an embryo at an early stage, which can be cultivated and reproduced in vitro for several generations and which are characterised by a stable gene type and phenotype.

2 The office shall enter the information required in paragraph 1a in the register when it grants the authorisations referred to in Articles 5, 8 or 13 or when it receives the notice required in Article 20.

3 It shall publish the summaries under Article 25 paragraphs 3a and 4 in the register.

4 It may require explanations of information furnished.