Nuffield Council on Bioethics response to Code of Practice for research involving stem cell-based embryo models

Currently, SCBEMs are not explicitly covered by UK laws or regulations, and there is a lack of professional guidance and standards for research. We know ethical challenges emerge when scientific advancements outpace regulatory frameworks, which is why the NCOB is currently undertaking a rapid review of the ethical and regulatory issues arising from SCBEMs. Our review will conclude in November, and we will be considering today’s publication within the evidence we gather.

Emma Cave, Professor of Healthcare Law at the University of Durham and nominated Chair of the NCOB working group said:

The new CoP, developed by a team of UK researchers and practitioners, led by Cambridge Reproduction, in partnership with the Progress Educational Trust, seeks to provide a set of principles for researchers working with SCBEMs. They also propose setting up an oversight process for these types of studies to be reviewed by an independent committee, and having a register of research that is specific this this field of work.

The team has said that they hope funders, publishers and institutions will voluntarily sign up to the code. They are also encouraging further discussion on how the oversight mechanisms they map out might operate in practice.