A working group of experts from a range of institutions across the UK, including Bobbie Farsides, Professor of Clinical and Biomedical Ethics at BSMS, have joined forces to produce the first ever UK guidelines for the generation and use of stem cell-based embryo models in research.
Members of the working group represent world-leading expertise in sciences, law, ethics and regulation, with the University of Cambridge in partnership with the Progress Educational Trust leading the new Code of Practice guidelines.
Stem cell-based embryo models (SCBEMs) are three-dimensional biological structures that mimic aspects of early human embryo development. They can be created in the lab from stem cells and can provide new insights into critical stages of early human development that are normally inaccessible to researchers.
Embryo model work is expected to lead to new interventions for a range of conditions, including revolutionising treatments for recurrent miscarriage, understanding developmental disorders and improving the success rate of IVF. Although embryo models are not the same as human embryos, they mimic aspects of early human development – and this has raised ethical concerns.
The previous lack of a regulatory framework for the use of SCBEMs in research has left scientists and research organisations uncertain about the acceptable boundaries of their work, both legally and ethically, and unsupported in their decision-making. Signing up to the SCBEM Code of Practice will remove these obstacles.
The guidelines, released on Thursday 4 July, provide the first code of practice for the use of SCBEMs in the UK.
Prof Farsides said: “It has been hard work, but also a great privilege working on this guidance. The science is not only complex, but as yet there is a lot of uncertainty about where it might go. It was fascinating to work with some of the world’s leading scientists in the field of embryo research to try to ensure that going forward their work on SCBEMs is ethically informed and effectively self-regulated.”
Prof Farsides was approached to join the working group due to her long-standing experience in the field of embryo research dating as far back as the early noughties, as well as serving on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
“The new Code of Practice provides processes for decision-making in research using stem cell-based embryo models so that scientists can proceed confidently, while maintaining public trust in this vital area of research,” said Kathy Niakan, Chair of Cambridge Reproduction and Professor of Reproductive Physiology at the University of Cambridge, and member of the SCBEM Code of Practice Working Group.
“We are confident that the Code will enable the UK to continue to lead the world in research into early human development, while ensuring that this research is ethically robust,” added Professor Roger Sturmey, Professor of Reproductive Medicine at Hull York Medical School and Chair of the SCBEM Code of Practice Working Group.
The Code is not legislative, but the team proposes that it should be adopted by UK researchers, funders, research organisations, professional societies and publishers.
Read the Code of Practice here >