Ethical Aspects of Research Involving the use of Human Embryos in the Context of the Fifth Framework Program: European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (original) (raw)

Ethical aspects of research involving the use of human embryo in the context of the 5th framework programme. Opinion of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies No. 12, 23 November 1998

1998

Having regard to the request for an Opinion by the European Commission of 11 September 1998 on amendment N°36 tabled by the European Parliament which proposes to exclude from Community funding research projects that "result in the destruction of human embryos", in the context of deciding on the tts Framework Programme, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam to be ratified, and in particular Article 6 (formerly Article F) of the common provisions concerning the respect for fundamental rights, and the Articles 163-173 (formerly Articles 130f-130p) on research and technological development, Having regard to the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision concerning the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (1998-2002) of 30 April 1997, and in particular Article 6 concerning compliance with fundamental ethical principles, and footnote 2 of Annex II on Scientific and Technical objectives concerning ethical requirements, Having regard to the Common Position of the Council of Ministers of 23 March 1998 and the second reading of the European Parliament of 17 June 1998, concerning the above mentioned proposal for a Fifth Framework Programme, Having regard to the proposal for a Council Decision concerning a specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources" of 10 June 1998, and in particular footnote 8 on ethical requirements, Having regard to Directive 98/44/EC of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions, in particular Article 6,

The ethics of using embryos in research

Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2008

The analysis of the debate on the use of embryos for research reveals that those who attribute a high moral value to the embryo introduce two principles: the subsidiarity principle and the separation principle. The subsidiarity principle introduces a ranking in the organisms to be used and destroyed in research. The separation principle cuts the link between the creation of the embryo, the destruction of the embryo and the decision to discard the embryo and the use of the embryonic cells and tissues for research. By doing so, one attempts to avoid complicity of the researchers before and after the fact. It is concluded that one could accept compromises in embryo research on the condition that the restrictions and adaptations do not lead to significant loss of safety, efficacy and time.

Rethinking Human Embryo Research Policies

The Hastings Center Report, 2021

It now seems technically feasible to culture human embryos beyond the “fourteen‐day limit,” which has the potential to increase scientific understanding of human development and perhaps improve infertility treatments. The fourteen‐day limit was adopted as a compromise but subsequently has been considered an ethical line. Does it remain relevant in light of technological advances permitting embryo maturation beyond it? Should it be changed and, if so, how and why? What justifications would be necessary to expand the limit, particularly given that doing so would violate some people's moral commitments regarding human embryos? Robust stakeholder engagement preceded adoption of the fourteen‐day limit and should arguably be part of efforts to reassess it. Such engagement could also consider the need for enhanced oversight of human embryo research. In the meantime, developing and implementing reliable oversight systems should help foster high‐quality research and public confidence in it.

Research Use of Human in Vitro Embryos: Legal Boundaries

Wiadomości Lekarskie, 2021

The aim: The purpose of this research is to study foreign experience in the field of legal regulation of the use of embryos in vitro to suggest ways to fill the gaps in current Ukrainian legislation and bring it into line with international law. Materials and methods: The subject of the research was the legal regulation of the in vitro embryo research use, which is completely outside of the current Ukrainian legislation. That is why the European models of its regulation were analyzed. The experience of Germany and Hungary in the field of in vitro embryo research use regulation was considered as an example and was compared with the current Ukrainian regulation. Conclusion: As the use of non-implanted embryos is outside the legal field, the anatomical materials of a dead embryo, whether implanted or not, can be removed both for scientific research within the statutory framework (subject to approval by the ethics committee) and with the therapeutic purpose (for cell transplantation), s...

The Context of Embryonic Development and Its Ethical Relevance

Biotechnology Journal, 2007

Research on human stem cells and embryos creates ethical issues. Here I discuss ten frequently used arguments against research and point out their weaknesses. These arguments include the possessed potentiality of the embryo per se and, in contrast to other cell systems, the "slippery slope" argument, the right of disposal of parents, totipotency versus pluripotency, the burden of proof for research, natural versus artificial, and three arguments based on the precaution principle (the open biological questions, uncertainty regarding clinically applicable therapies, and the problem solving rule). I finally suggest a different answer to the ethical questions concerning research on human embryos and embryonic stem cells, which takes into consideration their biological context.

Of mice and human embryos: is there an ethically preferred order of preclinical research on new assisted reproductive technologies?

Human Reproduction

It is widely acknowledged that the responsible introduction of new assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) requires preclinical safety research, including the use of animal models and human embryos. However, the moral sensitivity of human embryo research has led to regulations and guidance stating that human embryos may only be used for research that cannot also be conducted with animals. We call this the 'use animals first' (UAF) rule. In the field of ART research, this translates into the notion of an ideal chain of consecutive preclinical research steps, where research using human embryos may only be considered as a further step after promising results have been obtained in animals first. This may lead to research ethics committees requiring animal studies that are in fact a waste of time and money, while exposing animals to an infringement of their wellbeing for no good purpose. In this paper, we explore the possible moral arguments behind the UAFrule and test their validity. We conclude that there are no convincing grounds for upholding this rule and recommend replacing it.

A Right to Health Perspective on Embryo Research: Synergies, Gaps and Opportunities BioLaw Journal -Rivista di BioDiritto

A RIGHT TO HEALTH PERSPECTIVE ON EMBRYO RESEARCH: SYNERGIES, GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES ABSTRACT: The significant progress made in biology research has revealed the key role of human stem cells in the discovery of medical treatments. What has emerged, in particular, is the revolutionary capability of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to differentiate into any other specialised cell of the human body. The capability to be pluripotent makes these cells as an essential and invaluable resource for both the analysis of the embryos themselves and the discovery of new therapies for untreated diseases. However, because hESCs are derived from the inner mass of a blastocyst -a very early embryo -some ethical concerns arise about the need to destroy a human embryo to extract the cell lines. In some States, including Italy, such concerns have led to legal restrictions at the national level, such as the absolute ban to donate supernumerary embryos left over after fertility treatments and no more intended for implantation, for research purpose. Attention is dedicated to the relevant synergies and worrying gaps that exist between embryo research and the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. The final goal is to identify potential opportunities to maximise the benefits of scientific progress and ensure compliance between embryo research and the right to health. It is worth noting that, although the right to the benefits of science and its applications and the right to life are addressed throughout the research, this work primarily focuses on the right to health.