News21st May 2025
The ‘14-day rule’ is established in law under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act. It limits the time a human embryo can be cultured in UK laboratories to a maximum of 14 days.
As techniques for sustaining embryos grown in culture have advanced, research has reached a point where embryos are being destroyed at the 14-day deadline because of legal restrictions, rather than practical limitations. This has raised the question as to whether the rule is still fit-for-purpose, taking account of scientific capabilities and potential benefits, as well as societal priorities and acceptance.
Earlier this year, we launched a project, funded by Wellcome, that aims to provide decision-makers with the independent evidence they need to better understand arguments for and against extensions to the 14-day time limit on human embryo research.
As part of this project, we are pleased to announce that we will also be working with UKRI Sciencewise to deliver the UK-wide dialogue exploring public views on this topic. This partnership will enhance our engagement activities and enable us to use more innovative and creative methods to communicate the scientific and ethical complexities to those who take part.
The public dialogue will comprise of a series of deliberative workshops held across all four nations of the UK, followed by a ‘Citizens’ Summit’ of approximately 100 people, where key themes that emerged during the workshops will be explored further. A diverse range of people will be involved, with a targeted effort made to engage specific communities and under-represented groups, including those with lived experience related to this topic, as well as community and faith groups.
Our dialogue will build upon a foundational 2023 Sciencewise public dialogue on early human embryo research. We will delve deep into people’s perspectives on what the appropriate time limit for human embryo research should be and generate insight into how people form their views on this ethically sensitive topic.
In total, the public dialogue is expected to take around 8 months to complete, culminating in a final report that showcases the findings from the deliberative workshops and Citizens’ Summit.
I am delighted Sciencewise are joining us as a partner in this timely project looking at the 14-day rule for human embryo research. Working together will give us the support required to reach the people we need to engage, and to choose the methods that we know will work best support a fruitful dialogue.
It is vital that policies created and used to govern human embryo research reflect public values – encompassing of diverse societal perspectives and views. We look forward to working with Sciencewise to start this important conversation.”
Danielle Hamm, Director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics
To ensure a robust and accountable process, we are appointing an Independent Oversight Group to oversee the design and development of the deliberative activities. The group will review the structure and content of the sessions and provide advice and scrutiny to help ensure that a diversity of views and voices is heard in the process.
This new partnership with Sciencewise follows on from our previous collaboration on a public dialogue on the use of genome editing in farmed animals. This was used by policymakers to help inform the development of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.
It is fantastic to be working with Nuffield Council on Bioethics to understand the values and views of the public in this important area. Through a deliberative process, the public can offer creative solutions and bring nuanced opinions to complex debates. Involving the public makes policy that is better developed and better received.”
Carly Walker-Dawson, Director, UKRI Sciencewise Programme