Stem cells, as you know and as you've heard, can be produced from a variety of sources, including embryos, bone marrow, cord blood, adult skin, peripheral blood, etc.

In particular, that is the case where there are specific, comprehensive legal systems already in place in a sector, as for example in the fields of feed and food, cosmetic and tobacco products, common market organisations for agricultural products, plant health and plant protection, human blood and tissues, medicinal products for human and veterinary use and chemicals, or where sectoral needs require specific adaptation of the common principles and reference provisions, as for example in the fields of medical devices, construction products and marine equipment.

Adding an important piece to the rapidly changing picture of human stem cells, researchers have found that cells from the blood can regenerate not just the blood supply, but tissues of the skin, liver and gut.

Blood, tissues and organs on the European Commission's website

(7) This Directive should apply to tissues and cells including haematopoietic peripheral blood, umbilical-cord (blood) and bone-marrow stem cells, reproductive cells (eggs, sperm), foetal tissues and cells and adult and embryonic stem cells.

For increased safety of blood, tissues and organs, a European quality management system network for blood safety was approved.