Reza Omani-Samani - Department of Epidemiology and Reproductive Health, Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

Regenerative medicine is a relatively new field which contains of biology and medicine together. The main aim in this field is to produce tissue and cells which can cure the disease. So, ethical issues in regenerative medicine depends on the cells, tissues or the methods and used materials. Different cells are used in regenerative medicine whose most important is stem cells. Source of the stem cells or differentiated cells can be from embryo, adult or pregnancy products. For embryonic stem cells human embryos are destroyed and has its own ethical issues. It is well accepted that no embryo can be produced just for research and just surplus embryos made for IVF can be used. Using growth factors is under question because they induce proliferation and potentially can produce cancer. Adult stem cells can be auto graft or heterograft which more than safety, in case of heterograft, donor must be free and well informed by a detail informed consent. No harm can be made to the donor more than what they take in their normal life except when the tissue removal has another reason other than the current research. Induced pluripotent stem cells are made from fibroblasts and can be the future of medicine but the vector which transfers the gene is mostly a virus that has ethical question. Cord blood sampling for obtaining stem cells cannot be harmful for mother or child, but a single vial from an individual is not enough for a person heavier than 20 kg. So, cord blood banks must fully inform people before sampling and freezing. Conclusion: informed consent with detail information and special consideration is necessary for using cells for treatment.

Regenerative medicine, Cell therapy, Stem cells, Cord blood