Adapting the 14-day rule for embryo research to encompass evolving technologies.
Published version
Peer-reviewed
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Williams, Kate
Johnson, Martin H
Abstract
We consider the scientific evidence that research on in-vitro development of embryos beyond 14 days is necessary. We then examine potential new developments in the use of stem cells to make embryoids or synthetic human entities with embryo-like features, and consider whether they also require legal control. Next, we consider the arguments advanced against extending the 14-day period during which research on human embryos is currently permitted, and find none of them to be convincing. We end by proposing a new objective limit that could serve as a mechanism for regulating the use of embryos for research in vitro.
Description
Keywords
Embryonic stem cells, Ethics, Warnock, Hfe Act, 14-Day Rule, In-vitro Embryo Development
Journal Title
Reproductive biomedicine & society online
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
2405-6618
Volume Title
10
Publisher
Publisher DOI
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (100606)