Background paper27th November 2025
This briefing draws on our evidence gathering to date for our review of the 14-day rule for embryo research in the UK.
It seeks to explain the interests and values involved in reviewing the 14-day rule, and to explore the current ethical debates around embryo research and this time limit.
This briefing does not draw conclusions about how these interests should be factored into ethical decision making, or their implications for different policy options for the future of embryo research. These questions will be explored in the final report from this project, to be published in mid-2026.
More information about the way embryos are donated for and used in research in the UK, as well as the focus and outcomes of that research, is available in a separate briefing.