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Adapting the 14-day rule for embryo research to encompass evolving technologies

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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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

14-day rule, HFE Act, Warnock, embryonic stem cells, ethics, in-vitro embryo development

Journal Title

Reproductive Biomedicine & Society Online

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2405-6618
2405-6618

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (100606/Z/12/Z)
We acknowledge support from the Wellcome Trust (Grant 100606).