stem cells

Stem cells offer the possibility of major advances in healthcare but research is controversial because the cells are often derived from embryos.

A discussion paper on the key ethical issues, based on discussions held at a round table meeting, was published by the Council in April 2000.

Stem cells - Stem cells: UK developments

The discussion paper Stem cell therapy: the ethical issues was published in April 2000. Since then, many countries have announced new legislation concerning the use of stem cells and therapeutic cloning.

Therapeutic cloning

Under the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act research on embryos is permissible "to increase knowledge about the causes of congenital disease".

Stem cells - Further conclusions and recommendations

We do not consider that concerns about inappropriate incentives resulting from a potential benefit deriving from the establishment of an EG (embryonic germ) cell line are so great that the donation of fetal tissue for such purposes should be prohibited.

Stem cells - Key findings

The ability to culture human stem cells long term, and possibly indefinitely, and to control how such cells specialise to form the different tissues of the body offers the possibility of major advances in healthcare.

Nuffield Council on Bioethics expresses concern about proposed amendments to European Directive on Tissues And Cells

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has written to MEPs expressing concern about proposed amendments to the European Directive on tissues and cells, due to be discussed in the European Parliament next week (15 – 18 December 2003).

The proposals could restrict or even ban the creation of embryos for research or tissue transplantation. The Nuffield Council believes the amendments poses a real threat to stem cell research which offers the possibility of significant advances in healthcare.

Nuffield Council on Bioethics welcomes the Chief Medical Officer's Report on Stem Cell Research

Today the Nuffield Council on Bioethics welcomed the findings of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group which reported on stem cell research.

In April 2000 the Council published a discussion paper entitled 'Stem cells: the ethical issues' and concluded that research into human stem cells had the potential to develop treatments for a variety of diseases and should be permitted with safeguards. The report of the CMO's group drew similar conclusions and proposed measures to implement such safeguards.

Experts give go-ahead for human stem cell research but safeguards needed

Research into human stem cells has the potential to develop treatments for a variety of diseases and should be permitted with safeguards says the Nuffield Council on Bioethics in a new paper Stem cell therapy: the ethical issues.