Regulation of stem cell research in Lithuania

Research on human embryos and the import and export of tissues of a human embryo, stem cells of a human embryo and lines thereof are prohibited.

Current legal position

Stem cell research in Lithuania is regulated by the Law on Ethics of Biomedical Research No. VIII-1679 of 11 May 2000 (last amended on 15 November 2007 – No X-1325). The Law defines the embryo as “the stage of development of a human organism from the moment of impregnation (formation of a zygote) until the end of the eighth week of a woman’s pregnancy”.  The use of embryos for research is restricted to clinical observations (non-interventional trials). Import and export of tissues of a human embryo, stem cells of a human embryo and lines thereof is prohibited.

The Law on Donation and Transplantation of Human Tissues, Cells and Organs No. I-1626 of 19 November 1996 (last amended on 19 October 2006 – No. X-867) regulates the storage and use of tissue (adult) stem cells for transplantation purposes.

Ethical and regulatory oversight

The Lithuanian Bioethics Committee (LBC), set up in 1995 as a governmental institution, aims to promote and protect human rights and dignity in the field of healthcare. Now LBC takes responsibility for the two broad areas of activities:

  1. It informs the biomedical community and general public on ethical issues and moral dilemmas arising in the context of modern health care.
  2. Ot facilitates the protection of patients' rights in the field of biomedical research and coordinates the ethical review of biomedical research projects in Lithuania, including stem cell research projects.

Relevant laws, policies and links

Researched by

Sean Small

Reviewed by

Jurate Serepkaite