Cell line misidentification: the beginning of the end

[Emily]

http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v10/n6/full/nrc2852.html

Nature Reviews Cancer 10, (June 2010) | doi:10.1038/nrc2852
Cell line misidentification: the beginning of the end

American Type Culture Collection Standards Development Organization Workgroup ASN-0002
Abstract

Cell lines are used extensively in research and drug development as models of normal and cancer tissues. However, a substantial proportion of cell lines is mislabelled or replaced by cells derived from a different individual, tissue or species. The scientific community has failed to tackle this problem and consequently thousands of misleading and potentially erroneous papers have been published using cell lines that are incorrectly identified. Recent efforts to develop a standard for the authentication of human cell lines using short tandem repeat profiling is an important step to eradicate this problem.

http://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/uploadedFiles/about/bioethics/Nardone%20Letter.pdf

An Open Letter Regarding the Misidentification and Cross-Contamination of Cell Lines: Significance and Recommendations for Correction
July 11, 2007
Secretary Michael O. Leavitt
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington , DC 20201
Dear Secretary Leavitt:
This letter has been drafted by a group of leading cell culture scientists and other experts involved in the use of DNA methods for the identification of biological material. This group is seriously concerned about the continued use of misidentified and cross-contaminated cell lines in current biomedical research. We urge you to read this letter, share our concerns and take appropriate action consistent with the responsibility of your office.
[snip]
The resulting corruption of biomedical research, no matter the frequency of occurrence, has the potential for grave public health consequences. Drugs, vaccines, and other biomedical products may be developed using misleading or false data, causing delays in availability of needed medical treatments . Additionally, huge amounts of resources , both public and private, are wasted. Critical time and vast sums of money are wasted in support of research using misidentified or cross-contaminated cell lines and in the development, testing and manufacture of biomedical products based upon erroneous data...

Where is the conscience? Where is the courage? Where is the outrage?