Ethical and scientific aspects of human embryonic material research: The Great Britain regulations

Abstract

We analyze the ethical and scientific issues of human embryonic specimen and its utilization for research purposes. Human embryonic specimens are the source of stem cells which are the foundation for all organs and tissue formation. The analysis of human embryonic specimens promises to obtain the essential knowledge about human development and reveal the causes of human development pathology. Ethical and scientific problems of human embryonic specimens donation and research are debated here. We review the impact that human embryonic specimens impose on scientific research, usage restrictions, risk assessment, research personnel and donor protection in view of the British, and other European publications, case reports, legislation, regulations and guidelines. This work is focused on the discussion of different aspects of donation and usage of human embryonic specimens obtained after the elective medical termination of pregnancy. We discuss suggestions for improvement of the ethical and scientific regulations for the work with human embryonic donor material in Russian Federation.