EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01HRS GMT WEDNESDAY 17 JANUARY 2007

Greater transparency urged about the use of aborted foetuses in stem cell research

Women in the UK should be provided with detailed information about how aborted foetuses might be used in stem cell research, say leading social scientists.

Writing in the Royal Society of Medicine’s Clinical Ethics journal, Naomi Pfeffer¹ and Julie Kent² said the rules in relation to consent to the use in research of aborted foetuses and embryos were inconsistent.

“Women who agree to the use of their aborted foetuses in stem cell research may only be provided with general information. There is no consistency across hospitals on the type of information provided and women are unable to refuse to allow foetuses to be used in some projects but not others,”

said the authors.

“As a result, some women are told how the foetus might be used, others are given almost no idea,”

they added.

Stem cell research using embryos created in an IVF clinic is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) which requires specific consent to be sought. Women are provided with detailed information about the type of research and/or medical conditions for which their embryos may be used before they give consent. They are also told whether the research is basic research or intended for commercial purposes.

Research using foetal tissue is covered by the Polkinghorne Guidelines which were established in 1989 and still apply. The Polkinghorne Guidelines state that consent from a woman should be general and not specific. These guidelines are in turn interpreted and implemented by Research Ethics Committees, who have no remit to public engagement.

“The Polkinghorne Guidelines were drawn up before the current interest in stem cell had developed. Foetuses are now being used for stem cell research and the guidelines should be re-addressed so that there is consistency with current standards of consent in other types of research,”

said Dr Kent.

“The HFEA lists all research projects which it has approved in its annual report. However, there is almost no public information about the use of foetuses in stem cell science,”

she said.

Professor Pfeffer said:

“There needs to be greater transparency about how aborted foetuses are used in stem cell research. If the UK is to continue to be seen as facilitating stem cell research through strong regulation, then the Polkinghorne Guidelines need to be urgently clarified.”

[ends]

Consent to the use of aborted fetuses in stem cell research and therapies [PDF 62k]

¹London Metropolitan University

²University of the West of England, Bristol