Stem Cell Oversight Committee (SCOC)

SCOC Mandate, Membership and Operations

All nominations must be received by June 2nd 2003. Only successful applicants will be notified.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada's premier agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened health care system. It is supported in these objectives by two other federal granting agencies that also fund human research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), as well as other organizations.

Stem cell research and the federal funding agencies

Following the establishment of the first human embryonic stem cell lines in 1998, there was great interest among both researchers and the public because of the potential for new treatments for many diseases for which there are currently no effective cures. In view of the significant ethical issues raised by embryonic stem cell research and growing international debate about the ethics of this kind of research, Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of CIHR, convened a working group on stem cell research in the fall of 2000. The ad hoc working group included internationally renowned experts in stem cell research, ethics, law, and medicine and its mandate was to advise CIHR as to whether human embryonic stem cell and human embryonic germ cell research was eligible for CIHR funding, and if so, under what conditions. In January 2002, after a year of discussion and consultation, the group submitted a report to CIHR's Governing Council, which was unanimously accepted and formed the basis of stem cell research guidelines (Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research: Guidelines for CIHR-Funded Research; "the Guidelines") that were publicly announced in March 2002. Please note: these Guidelines have been superseded by Updated Guidelines for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research as of June 29, 2007.

CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC ("the Agencies") have agreed to adopt a common approach to implementing the Guidelines.

The Stem Cell Oversight Committee (SCOC)

The Guidelines call for the establishment of a stem cell oversight committee (SCOC) to review research funding applications dealing with human pluripotent stem cells and other ethically sensitive human stem cell research for conformity with the Guidelines.

Committee mandate:

Using considerations set forth by the Guidelines, SCOC will provide ethics review of human stem cell research funding applications submitted to CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC ("the Agencies"). SCOC will also review applications submitted to other funding organizations but conducted under the auspices of institutions receiving funding from the Agencies. In addition, it may review stem cell research proposals submitted to other public or private granting agencies, upon mutual agreement by the parties. SCOC will advise CIHR's Governing Council with respect to the outcomes of these reviews. The SCOC review is intended to complement the review undertaken by the investigator's own institute's Research Ethics Board (REB).

Committee composition:

SCOC will be a diverse group of individuals with a range of backgrounds and disciplines relevant to the mandate of the Committee. Technical experts will provide the Committee access to the latest scientific, legal and ethical information, and representatives from the general public will represent the views and values of Canadians potentially affected by the new technologies.

The Committee will consist of 12 members as follows:

• Stem cell biology & therapeutics, developmental biology, or embryology (2);
• Health care (in vitro fertilization specialist - e.g. physician, nurse, social worker) (1);
• Ethics (2) (it is preferred that one of these be an academic with training in theology or religious studies);
• Law (1);
• Social science (1);
• Member of a health charitable organization (1);
• An international member with expertise in stem cell research policy (1)
• In vitro fertilization patient (1); and
• Members of the public who are not advocates for any specific interest group and have an interest in health research (2).

In addition, for the first year of operation of the Committee, there will be 2 ex-officio non-voting members from the ad hoc working group on stem cell research. These members could be either scientific or ethics experts and will ensure continuity and understanding of the Guidelines.

Committee roles and responsibilities:

In addition to the ethics review responsibilities described above, SCOC will:

• Provide advice on the application of the CIHR stem cell guidelines to investigators, local REBs and Animal Care Committees (ACCs);
• Provide advice to CIHR, Health Canada, the media and the public about the ethical and scientific issues of human stem cell research in Canada;
• Develop a system for monitoring ongoing research, compliance with the guidelines, and ensuring that any major changes to ongoing research protocols are reported to SCOC;
• Provide ongoing review and revision of the guidelines in light of changing scientific data and social climate.

Committee operation:

• Initial appointments will be for 1, 2, or 3 years, with subsequent appointments for a 3-year term. Members may serve no more than 2 consecutive terms.
• The Chair will be chosen by CIHR's Governing Council on the advice of its Nominating Committee.
• SCOC is a committee of Governing Council of CIHR and reports to the Governing Council, normally through the Executive Committee of Governing Council.
• There will be a minimum of 3 meetings per year either in Ottawa or by teleconference, with additional meetings possible. At least two of these meetings will be face-to-face.
• Compensation: as is the case with all CIHR committees, this is a volunteer position with no reimbursement except for repayment of expenses. Policies for reimbursement of expenses are detailed on the CIHR website.

Membership criteria:

Review process:

Research proposals will be sent to SCOC members for review in advance of SCOC meetings. The material provided to Committee members will include information of a technical nature. However, given the diverse nature of their knowledge and experience, not all Committee members will be expected to fully understand all aspects of all proposals. When requested, CIHR will provide staff support to SCOC members.

Committee orientation:

A one-day orientation session will be held at the first meeting to discuss how the Committee will work and to provide information on topics such as stem cell research; the Guidelines; federal legislation regulating stem cell research; and how to perform ethics review of research proposals, including how to assess consent forms, research protocols, and research contracts.

Application/Nomination Process

Forms (Stem Cell Oversight Committee Application/Nomination Form and Applicant/Nominee's Informed Consent Form) and instructions are found at the links below

Application Form

Consent Form