ESTOOLS - Advances with human embryonic stem cells - Ethics

• Ethics
• Workpackage
• Ethics Workshops
• Advisory panel
• Constraints on research

 

Ethics

The laboratories participating in ESTOOLS only use embryonic stem cell lines derived from IVF embryos that will not be transferred into the womb. These embryos have been donated for research according to the legal requirements of the country of origin. All donors have given their informed consent. Our research does not involve the derivation of any new embryonic stem cell lines.

For some European citizens, embryonic stem cell research is acceptable, while others believe that embryos should not be used for research. There are also varying regulatory approaches throughout Europe, summary of which you can see by clicking here (this link takes you to the EuroStemCell Consortium's page with information about stem cell legislation).

Recognising these different perspectives, ethical considerations and analyses are central to our project.