Stem cell research policy

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Stem cell research policy varies significantly throughout the world. There are overlapping jurisdictions of international organizations, nations, and states or provinces. Some government policies determine what is allowed versus prohibited, whereas others outline what research can be publicly financed. Of course, all practices not prohibited are implicitly permitted. Some organizations have issued recommended guidelines for how stem cell research is to be conducted.

International bodies

The

therapeutic cloning
. In 2005, in a divided vote, "Member States were called on to adopt all measures necessary to prohibit all forms of human cloning in as much as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life."

The World Health Organization has opposed a ban on cloning techniques in stem cell research.

The Council of Europe's Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine seems to ban the creation of embryos solely for research purposes.[1] It has been signed by 31 countries and ratified by 19:[2] Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey.[3]

The Hinxton Group

legal and ethical guidelines relating to stem cell research, in an effort to address conflicting international laws in this area.[4][5] The ‘Hinxton Group’ met recently for the first time, in Cambridge, and published a consensus statement calling for a ‘flexible’ regulatory framework, which can simultaneously accommodate rapid scientific advance and at the same time accommodate the diversity of international approaches towards stem cell science.[4] It also recommends that, in countries which oppose embryonic stem cell research, scientists should be free to pursue their research elsewhere.[4]

In light of the controversy surrounding

Hwang Woo-Suk, the Hinxton Group has additionally recommended a number of measures intended to prevent fraud in stem cell research. The group has requested that all authors of embryonic stem cell papers submit a statement of authenticity of any new cell-lines and that the source of stem cells be clearly specified.[4]

On the ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research, the group has additionally recommended that an international database be created, containing guidelines for ethical practice, research protocols, consent forms, and the information provided to donors.[4]

However, the potential for an international consensus on these matters seems remote given the complexity and diversity of regulatory frameworks in this controversial area of science, both within nations and between nations.

ISSCR

The International Society for Stem Cell Research is developing guidelines for the conduct of stem cell research.

Nations

Main article: Stem cell laws

Embryonic stem cell research has divided the international community. In the

IVF); however New Zealand, most of Africa (excepting South Africa) and most of South America (excepting Brazil
) are restrictive.

References

  1. ^ Chapter V, Article 18 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with Regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/164.htm
  2. ^ Additional Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine, on the Prohibition of Cloning Human Beings
  3. doi:10.1515/jibl.2005.2.4.133
    . Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Consensus Statement". The Hinxton Group. 24 February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008.
  5. ^ Rick Weiss (2 March 2006). "Universal stem cell principles proposed". The Washington Post.
  6. OCLC 54703225
    .

External links
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