STEM CELL RESEARCH

Stem Cell Research Legislation and Related Legal Issues

Stem Cell Research Legislation and Related Legal Issues

Introduction

The articles about current research cells in the different countries show that research on stem cells and associated technologies can help to treat challenging diseases of the future. Laws and legislations need however, to be clarified to avoid misinterpretations and conflicts. Conflicts with the general public and lawmakers are typical problems of today (Cohen, 2004). Vague laws can also prevent results in research, since this will make it more difficult for countries to cooperate. A way of controlling research is by using strict penalties in case of violations or unethical applications of the technology.

Stem Cell Research Legislation

The human body is composed of a vast number of cells, on the order of 1013 to 1014 (Holland, 2006). These are grouped, based on functional and morphological characteristics into various types of tissue composed of similar cells. Yet, for all humans, there was a time when there was but one cell (Holland, 2006).

Another important factor is that the public understands what stem cell research is and both its advantages and disadvantages. Decisions made on stem cell research should mirror this majority, and not only influential people in a leadership position.

In fact, it has already come to an end. The EiT course is finished and, therefore, also our blog. Through working with the research, we have learned a lot about regulation of stem cell research in different parts of the world. To conclude we have, therefore, chosen some of our observations, which sum up the situation well (Davis, 2006).

The intrinsic value of the fetus has been the major obstacle in religions of the western world, when it comes to embryonic stem cell research (Abbondanzo, 2006). One religious country that has shown great strides is Iran. Iran got a well defined stem cell law, which has made it possible for the technology to thrive. This shows that religion may aid stem cell research, as well as being a major obstacle.

Legal Perspectives

Given the number of ways in which hESCs can be procured and the number of policy mechanisms at the disposal of legislative bodies, it is not surprising that there is little, if any, consensus among nations on how to regulate research on hESCs (Snow, 2003). It is, however, possible to break various legislative schemes down along a number of regulatory axes:

The use of supernumeracy embryos for derivation of hESC lines.

The creation of embryos via IVF for derivation of hESC lines.

The creation of embryos via SCNT for derivation of hESC lines.

Within Europe, axes II and III were together addressed within the Convention of the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Biomedicine at Oviedo, Spain, in 1997. This treaty obliges signatories to incorporate statutory bans on the creation of human embryos for research purposes and the procurement of hESC lines into national law. Research on supernumeracy embryos is not addressed in this convention and is a major point of difference in EU member nation hESC regulatory regimes (Humber, ...