Some of the most advanced scientific technologies in regenerative medicine involve animal or human embryonic stem cells.

Merck believes that such research has the potential to help identify important new medicines and therapies for important unmet needs, and we have been conducting research into the biology of stem cells for more than a decade. This research has involved the use of animal or human adult stem cells.

We have a Regenerative Medicine Oversight Committee comprising both internal and external experts. This committee helps oversee our research involving stem cells, including highly targeted research using human embryonic stem cells and stem cells developed through somatic cell nuclear transfer or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).

Merck, along with the scientific community, believes that research using stem cells has the potential to help identify medicines and therapies that will treat or cure diseases and alleviate the suffering of patients. Examples would include Parkinson's disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and trauma.

The company conducts research using stem cells in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and our own research policies. Merck research involving stem cells is guided by National Academy of Sciences guidelines.