In January 2013 the book-document of Prof. Annagrazia Altavilla entitled “The Research on the Stem Cells” (La Recherche sur les Cellules Souches, Harmattan Editor) was published. It is only available in French. Professor Jean-François Mattei, ex Minister of Health in France, is the author of the preface and Professor Adriana Ceci, President of the Gianni Benzi Pharmacological Research Foundation, of the finale notes.
The problems associated with the use of stem cells from the scientific, ethical, legal, economic and social point of view are numerous. This study aims at showing how the controversy related to research on stem cells come within “a European political adventure” in which individuals, institutions and public authorities, engaged in a process of “open decision”, are implied. In a comparative, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective, this work has the objective to highlight the evolution and functioning of the European law of bioethics and especially to reveal the process which brought to the adoption of European rules in this field. The book also shows the current state of knowledge and of the ethical debates in this field, anticipates scientific and legal changes determinated by the hopes that we find in the regenerative medicine.
Annagrazia Altavilalla is a Lawyer specialised in Health Law (LL.M. in Health Law and PhD Sciences –Ethics) and Associate Senior Lecturer of Bioethics – Aix-Marseille University (France); Former member of the European Medicine Agency (EMA) Paediatric Committee – 2008/2011;
Member of the “Third countries clinical trials” EMA Working Group; rapporteur on ethical and legal aspects of the “Reflection paper on ethical and GCP aspects of clinical trials of medicinal products for human use conducted in third countries and submitted to marketing Authorisation to EMA”;
Since 2006, she is a member of Sud-Méditerranée 1 Ethics Committeee; Coordinator of the activities in the field of Ethics of TEDDY NoE financed by Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).
Participates, for ethical and legal aspects, in three FP7 projects (RESPECT, GRIP, DEEP); Lecturer and author of more than 30 publications in international reviews.
Member of: World Association of Medical Law, of the European Association of Health Law (EAHL), the Global Observatory on Ethics (UNESCO), the International Institute of Research in Biomedical Ethics (IIREB –Canada), and of Trans Europe Experts network. Research areas: Health Law and Bioethics with special reference to European Union Policy and Law (biomedical research in paediatrics, vulnerable people protection, patient’ rights, ethical issues of genetics, application of Single Market rules to the health sector).