13.7. Innovation

Never before in the history of mankind have science and biotechnologies developed so fast producing, among others, new medicinal products, medical devices, diagnostic tools and making new surgical interventions and assisted reproduction technologies possible. Human blood and its components can be transfused or manufactured into plasma-derived medicinal products. The therapeutic use of tissues and cells of covers: bone, cartilage, tendons, arteries, veins, heart-valves, cornea, skin, foetal tissue, reproductive cells and stem cells. Biotechnological advances have led to the development of engineered structural tissues and constituent parts of medical devices. Their collection and distribution raise many ethical issues. Common requirements for ensuring the quality and safety of human blood and blood components were introduced throughout the European Union in 2005. In 2006, similar requirements came into effect for tissues and cells of human origin. Today, organ transplantation has become a common and effective treatment for end-stage renal, liver, lung and heart failure.