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WHAT ARE INTERNATIONAL LAWS ON USING HUMAN EMBRYOS IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH?

European Union

Since 1984, the European Union has provided funding for scientific research through a series of framework programs for research and technological development. 

This include providing funding for research using embryonic stem cells as well as a human embryonic stem cell registery, which began operations in April 2007 in order to make more efficient use of pre-existing embryonic stem cell lines.

More recently, a legal battle over whether stem cell techniques can be patented may alter the research landscape, as the removal of the legal protections provided by the patent system might greatly dampen incentives for stem cell research in the EU

United Kingdom

In the UK, the law states that the use of embryos in stem cell research can only be carried out with authority from the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA).

Licences are only granted if the HFEA is satisfied that any proposed use of embryos is absolutely necessary for the purposes of the research. 

Research is allowed only in the following conditions:

  • To promote advances in the treatment of infertility
  • To increase knowledge about the causes of congenital disease
  • To increase knowledge about the causes of miscarriages.
  • To develop more effective techniques of contraception.
  • To develop methods for detecting the presence of gene or chromosome abnormalities.
  • To increase knowledge about the development of embryos.
  • To increase knowledge about serious disease.
  • To enable any such knowledge to be applied in developing treatments for serious disease.

United States 

State laws regarding embryonic stem cells vary widely, with some restricting their use and others permitting certain activities.

Approaches to stem cell research policy range from statutes in eight states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York— which encourage embryonic stem cell research, to South Dakota's law, which strictly forbids research on embryos regardless of their source. 

States that specifically permit embryonic stem cell research have established guidelines for scientists such as consent requirements and approval and review processes for projects. 

In Massachusetts, for example, experiments can be performed on embryos that have not experienced more than 14 days of development.

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