Stem Cell Research Act (StRA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Subject, purpose and scope
1 This Act specifies the conditions under which it is permissible for human embryonic stem cells to be derived from surplus embryos and used for research purposes. 2 It is intended to prevent the misuse of surplus embryos and embryonic stem cells, and to protect human dignity. 3 It is not applicable to the use of embryonic stem cells for transplantation purposes in clinical trials.
Art. 2 Definitions
In this Act: a. embryo means the offspring, from the fusion of the cell nuclei (karyogamy) to the completion of organ development; b. surplus embryo means an embryo produced in the course of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure that cannot be used to establish a pregnancy and therefore has no prospect of survival; c. embryonic stem cell means a cell from an IVF embryo with the ability to differentiate into the various cell types, but not to develop into a human being, and the cell line derived therefrom; d. parthenote means an organism derived from an unfertilized oocyte.
Art. 3 Prohibited acts
1 It is prohibited: a. to create an embryo for research purposes (Art. 29 para. 1 of the Reproductive Medicine Act of 18 December 1998), to derive stem cells from such an embryo, or to use such cells; b. to modify the genetic material in a germ cell (Art. 35 para. 1 of the Reproductive Medicine Act of 18 December 1998), to derive embryonic stem cells from an embryo that has undergone germ line modification, or to use such cells; c. to create a clone, a chimera or a hybrid (Art. 36 para. 1 of the Reproductive Medicine Act of 18 December 1998), to derive embryonic stem cells from such an organism, or to use such cells; d. to develop a parthenote, to derive embryonic stem cells therefrom, or to use such cells; e. to import or export an embryo of the kind specified under Item a or b, or a clone, chimera, hybrid or parthenote. 2 It is further prohibited: a. to use surplus embryos for any purpose other than the derivation of embryonic stem cells; b. to import or export surplus embryos; c. to
Para. 1 let. a — SR 810.11
Art. 4 Non-commercialism
1 Surplus embryos or embryonic stem cells must not be disposed of or acquired in exchange for payment. 2 It is not permissible to use surplus embryos or embryonic stem cells acquired in exchange for payment. 3 The acceptance or provision of non-financial benefits is also deemed to constitute payment. 4 Reimbursement may be made of costs incurred for: a. the storage or passing-on of surplus embryos; b. the derivation, processing, storage or passing-on of embryonic stem cells.