AMP, genetics and HSC harvesting and transplantation: two ministerial action plans for the period 2022-2026
Published on 16 March 2022
The Ministry of Solidarity and Health and the Agence de la biomédecine announce the adoption and publication of two new ministerial action plans for the period 2022-2026 in the fields of "haematopoietic stem cell procurement and transplantation", and "human procreation, embryology and genetics". These two strategic plans have been adopted by the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health, and have been drawn up in conjunction with the Agence de la biomédecine and all relevant stakeholders (institutional partners, learned societies, user associations and healthcare professionals). They set out the trajectories to be followed to support medical and scientific developments in the fields concerned over the next five years. At national level, they will be steered by the Agence de la biomédecine, which will propose any necessary changes to the Ministry of Solidarity and Health, after discussions with stakeholder representatives.
Supporting the implementation of the 2021 bioethics law in the field of medically assisted procreation, diagnostics and genetics
Following the adoption of the new bioethics law on August 2, 2021, and in view of the major changes introduced, particularly with regard to medically assisted procreation (MAP), this plan must enable the implementation of the necessary measures to continue to guarantee equitable access to a quality care offering throughout the country. These changes call for particular vigilance in order to:
- Reduce waiting times for access to quality MPA care;
- Make the registry allowing access to origins in the context of third-party donor MPA operational;
- Promote gamete donation to ensure national self-sufficiency, particularly in terms of oocyte donation;
- Adapt new technologies in the fields of medical genetics and foetal medicine to safe, everyday practice.
Continue to facilitate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) harvesting and transplantation to meet patient needs
More than 2,000 hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) allografts (55% using unrelated grafts) are now performed every year for patients aged between 1 month and 70 years suffering from severe blood disorders.
For the next four years, the role of the Agence de la biomédecine is to continue to facilitate access to HSC allografts for patients, by offering clinicians access to all sources of HSC (grafts taken from bone marrow, peripheral blood or placental blood), and especially those from unrelated donors/placental blood grafts, whether listed on the French registry or on international registries. Recruitment of new donors to the registry will focus primarily on qualitative aspects, targeting younger and more diverse profiles, as well as increasing the proportion of male registrants. This qualitative development should make it possible to increase the use of the registry by national patients.
In addition, the law on bioethics 2021 has introduced a legal obligation to monitor donors. In the years to come, donor protection will require improved follow-up adapted to their needs, taking into account the psychological aspect, and giving priority to human and social science research in this field.
Press contact: Agence de la biomédecine: presse@biomedecine.fr , 01 55 93 69 43