Brussels, 1 November 2006 – On behalf of Life-Sciences Group an opinion poll was conducted in August 2006 by IPSOS, a global market research firm. The survey among the average Belgian population was identifying the level of common knowledge about and attitude towards stem cells and the possible use of stem cells in future. One month later in September 2006 a similar survey was launched by The Journal du Médecin/Artsenkrant among 28.000 Belgian doctors and physicians.

The results of these two surveys reveal that both groups are highly interested in the subject of stem cells. At the same there is a strong need for understandable, objective and good information.

What are stem cells?
Stem cells are the natural repairkit of the human body. Stem cells act as materials for the human body and are present in every human being. Scientists all over the world are conducting research in order to understand better the possibilities to cure human diseases based upon the usage of stem cells. Research on the possible use of stem cells in therapies such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes is promising and still expanding. Stem cells are derived from blood, umbilical cord blood, fat tissue and bone marrow.

Key results from the market survey among the Belgian population – IPSOS, August 2006
Only 50% of the population claims to have knowledge about stem cells. After having received further explanation, more than 6 out of 10 Belgians (61%) wants to preserve the stem cells of his/her own children or relatives. Almost 9 out of 10 Belgians is expecting the government to inform better about the storage of stem cells.

Annually about 98% of stem cells from umbilical cord blood is not stored. 74% of the Belgian population believes to be entitled to have the right and the free choice to preserve stem cells from his/her own children or relatives. Moreover 59% agrees that the storage of stem cells from his/her own children in a family stem cell bank through a private organisation must be allowed once the authorities apply clear and strict quality requirements. 37% among the Belgian population is even willing to pay at least 7,00 EUR per month for the storage of his or her own stem cells.

Key results from the market survey among the Belgian doctors and physicians – The Journal of Médecin/Artsenkrant, September 2006
According to the survey among Belgian doctors and physicians, there is a strong interest in the subject of stem cells. 68% of the interrogated doctors is interested in the preservation of stem cells of his or her own children or relatives. Doctors are in particular looking for more information about the costs for preservation of stem cells (91%), about research on stem cells and the latest evolutions in the expansion of stem cells (82%). Furthermore doctors need more scientific information about the preservation of stem cells (77%), about the collection of stem cells (82%) and finally about the possible therapies in future based upon stem cells (92%).

More than 60% of the doctors and physicians do not agree with the prohibition to preserve stem cells for autologue usage. Almost 9 out of 10 doctors agree that the authorities should take up a more pro active role in informing the population about stem cells. The general practitioner is considered by 68% as the most adequate person to pass on scientific information to the patient.

In a similar market research, conducted in The Netherlands in November 2006 by the newspaper 'De Volkskrant', about 70% of the responses confirmed a strong interest in the storage of stem cells.


Dr. Jef Pinxteren, Senior Researcher, VIB, Ghent: “Stem cells are a natural and unique repairkit for the human body: stem cells can help to cure and repair. Stem cell research is in its early stages: there is still a long and probably promising way to go. Stem cell research needs enough energy and support to develop further ; too often this energy is wasted due to unfounded crticism.”

Dr. Dimitry Spitkovsky, Phd, Project leader ‘Mesenchymal Stem Cells ‘ University of Köln:
“Enormous scientific advance within next few year would make it possible to develop effective stem cells formulations for clinical use and it is likely that the applications would involve stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.”