The Stem Cell Resource (SCR) is an independent organization that was founded in 2003 by a group of reproductive medicine professionals and academic researchers for the purpose of furthering knowledge in the fields of human embryology and stem cell research. The SCR maintains a repository and registry of IVF embryos that are not of clinical use and have been designated for medical and basic research.

What does The Stem Cell Resource do?
The SCR provides a no-cost service to physicians who have patients seeking to donate for research surplus embryos that are otherwise destined for destruction. The SCR provides information for patients to ensure that they understand the ethical and scientific issues surrounding such donations, and supplies Informed Consent documents. The SCR protects the donor’s confidentiality by having researcher-independent blinding of all tissues and samples. If a patient wishes to donate, the SCR provides the IVF physician with transport equipment and ensures the safe delivery of the material to the research facility.

How does it work?
Designated embryos are initially transferred from their current storage facility to the SCR, where all the information that identifies the embryos (e.g., donor name, address or other identifying information) is removed from the material itself. This information is stored off-site, and is accessible only by the SCR. The embryos are stored at the SCR repository, identified by a registry code that is the only information that will be given to researchers.
The SCR transfers embryos to research scientists who have completed a detailed research proposal that is evaluated by a scientific committee at the SCR. The recipient must agree to adhere to guidelines that ensure that safe, ethical, and meritorious research practices are in place and that federal funds will not be used. The NIH is informed of all transfers.

Information for donors
If you are interested in donating embryos please contact us by email or ask your IVF physician to contact us. We will answer your questions and if requested, we will provide your IVF physician with all of the information required to complete the donation.

Information for reproductive specialists
The SCR will provide an information packet for your patients explaining the use of embryos for research, and an Informed Consent Document that they must sign if they decide to donate. The SCR will arrange for transportation of the donated material to their repository at no charge to the patient or the physician.

Information for stem cell researchers
The SCR’s goal is to facilitate the research needed to help cure disease. If you are interested in obtaining donated embryos and/or stem cell lines please contact SCR to request a research application. Biological materials are provided at no cost to the researcher. Only those costs associated with shipping and handling of tissues will be incurred by the applicant. The researcher will not receive any identifying information about the donors. Only pertinent genomic or genetic data (e.g., aneuploidy or mutation) will be provided to the research group. If clinical correlation is warranted, the researcher may apply to the SCR for additional clinical information, but under no circumstances will information be provided that specifically identifies the donors.