Experts debate the future of stem cells

Europe is currently a world leader in the fundamental science underpinning regenerative medicine and cell therapy, and in its therapeutic use and regulation. But for the full advantages of cell therapy to be delivered, there must be evidence from properly regulated clinical trials of long-term benefits, allowing this new form of medicine to move from the hospital-scale, autologous model on which it operates today to a scaled-up, regulated European – and global – industry.