The 14-day rule for in vitro human embryo research requires adjustment: From a comprehensive perspective of science, ethics and policy research

Authors

Xiao LU, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaFollow
Ming ZHAO, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Huihui LIU, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Tianqing LI, State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Tao TAN, State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Weizhi JI, State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, ChinaFollow

Keywords

in vitro human embryo research, ethical regulation, 14-day rule, Warnock Report

Document Type

Policy & Management Research

Abstract

Since it was proposed, in vitro human embryo research had been following the 14-day rule, which limited in vitro research on human embryos within 14 days after fertilization. With the advancement in embryo culturing technology, this ethical rule has been greatly challenged. In 2021, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) recommended a conditional extension of the existing time limit in ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, hence the international scientific community has restarted the debate on the 14-day rule. This study systematically analyzed the historical background and controversies of the 14-day rule ethical regulation of human embryo research, as well as revisited the core ethical issues of the moral status, dignity, and legal status of human embryos as research subjects. It also comprehensively examined the attitudes of different stakeholders in responding to the relaxation of current regulations and raised policy agenda and suggestions in extending the time limit of human embryo research.

First page

1718

Last Page

1728

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

References

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Recommended Citation

LU, Xiao; ZHAO, Ming; LIU, Huihui; LI, Tianqing; TAN, Tao; and JI, Weizhi (2023) "The 14-day rule for in vitro human embryo research requires adjustment: From a comprehensive perspective of science, ethics and policy research," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 38 : Iss. 11 , Article 14.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.20230904001
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol38/iss11/14