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Cloning technology and stem cell research

Corporate Responsibility Report 2008

Cloning technologies and stem cell research

Cloning technologies

GSK uses cloning technologies to replicate molecules and cells for research. These technologies have provided better ways to evaluate compounds, enabling greater insight into the risks and benefits of potential medicines and helping to create better medicines for patients. This technology is a fundamental component of medicine discovery and development.

GSK does not clone animals. We do not use cloning technologies with the intention of reproducing entire human beings and we do not see a medical or research case for doing so.

Read our position statement on cloning technologies and stem cell research.

Stem cell research

We recognise the importance of being clear about our approach to stem cell research and the standards we apply in this area of research.

We updated and published our approach to stem cell research in 2008. It sets out the standards we apply when using stem cells, including when using embryonic and foetal stem cells.

In 2008, we began a five-year collaboration with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI). This includes a $25 million investment to support research at Harvard University and a number of affiliated hospitals in the areas of neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases and obesity. The collaboration is overseen by a joint steering committee made up of HSCI and GSK scientists and managers.

We are also a founding member of the Stem Cells for Safer Medicine (SCSM) initiative in the UK. SCSM aims to develop a bank of human cell lines to be used in early medicine discovery. This will provide early identification and elimination of potential toxicity issues before clinical testing. A number of public sector organisations are contributing to the initiative including the Department of Health, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Scottish Government, the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. An independent ethics review board is being established to review the SCSM ethics policy.

Read more about how we are collaborating in research on emerging technologies.