News4th February 2025
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The 14-day rule for human embryo research is cemented in law under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act 1990 (as amended 2008) – it means human embryos can only be cultured in a UK laboratory for a maximum of 14 days.
The rule has largely been adopted worldwide in jurisdictions where human embryo research is permitted, and until recently technical limitations means there has not been a scientific basis for challenging it. However, human embryo culture has now advanced to a point where embryos are being destroyed at the 14-day deadline because of legal restrictions, rather than practical limitations. This raises the question as to whether the 14-day rule is still fit-for-purpose, cognisant of scientific capabilities and potential benefits, as well as societal priorities and acceptance.
Scientists suggest by allowing human embryo research to go beyond 14 days we could gain a better understanding of healthy development and miscarriages. This potential for tangible research benefit, alongside evidence that there is some public support for an extension to the rule, has resulted in mounting calls for a reassessment of the 14-day limit. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have also published a detailed proposal for the review of the HFE Act, which includes calling for an extension to the 14-day rule.
Government must have access to up-to-date, independent ethical analysis if it is to appropriately consider whether now is the time for change. By placing ethics at the centre of their decision-making, UK legislators and policymakers will be able to ensure any changes to how embryo research is governed are truly reflective of wider and diverse societal interests and views.
I am pleased to be announcing this new project, which will be delivered as part of our reproduction, parenthood and family priority portfolio of work.
The fundamental ethical considerations that bear on the question of whether the 14-day rule should be altered may be largely unchanged since the HFE Act was first introduced, but the advanced state of science and changing social norms could affect how we choose to navigate them. The question of how we should weigh the different considerations, therefore, remains pertinent and will be critical to resolve.”
Danielle Hamm, Director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
This vital need for robust ethical analysis is what helped us secure a grant from Wellcome to explore what the appropriate time limit is for human embryo research.
Wellcome has long supported advances in the sciences for human developmental biology, to unlock our understanding of life, health, reproduction and fertility. As the HFEA looks to modernise its rules governing research, including the potential to extend beyond the current 14-day limit for embryo research, we understand the importance of exploring reforms with due attention to ethical dimensions and public views.”
Carleigh Krubiner, Bioethics Lead at Wellcome
Our project will consist of four phases, which when taken together, will result in practical policy insights intended to support Government in making evidence-based decisions on whether to review the 14-day rule or not:
- Phase 1: Review of the short-, medium- and long-term potential of the science of human embryo research, including future scenario mapping.
- Phase 2: Review of the ethics of human embryo research, including future scenario mapping.
- Phase 3: UK-based deliberative dialogue to understand public views and values surrounding human embryo research and its limits.
- Phase 4: A multi-disciplinary Working Group to review all evidence gathered in phases 1-3 before deliberating and appraising different policy options that take trade-offs, stakeholder and public attitudes, and the international research landscape into account.
The project will take approximately 18 months to complete, but mindful there is pace to discussion in this area, we intend to share insights as we gather them.
Our project will go further than any previous public dialogue on the 14-day rule. We will be exploring possible futures with diverse groups and communities across the four nations of the UK, drawing meaningful conclusions and forging a pragmatic way forward for policy. I hope the evidence we gather will not only prove useful at home, but also abroad as currently the 14-day rule is somewhat of an international guideline.”
Danielle Hamm, Director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
We are now seeking to commission a background research paper to map the practicalities, aims, and outcomes of embryo culture carried out for research purposes in the UK. More details about this commission are available here.