Academic Journal
Embryo models and the regulatory void: ethical imperatives before legal action.
| Τίτλος: | Embryo models and the regulatory void: ethical imperatives before legal action. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Vila-Pérez M; Institut Borja de Bioètica URL, Barcelona, Spain martivp1@blanquerna.url.edu.; Blanquerna Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain., Lorenzo-Izquierdo D; Institut Borja de Bioètica URL, Barcelona, Spain., Esquerda-Aresté M; Institut Borja de Bioètica URL, Barcelona, Spain. |
| Πηγή: | Journal of medical ethics [J Med Ethics] 2026 Sep 22; Vol. 52 (10), pp. 678-682. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 22. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 7513619 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1473-4257 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03066800 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Med Ethics Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: <2004->: London : BMJ Publishing Group Original Publication: London, Society for the Study of Medical Ethics. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Embryo Research*/legislation & jurisprudence , Embryo Research*/ethics , Stem Cell Research*/legislation & jurisprudence , Stem Cell Research*/ethics, Humans ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Animals ; Terminology as Topic |
| Περίληψη: | Advances in stem cell research have enabled the creation of embryo models that challenge existing definitions and regulatory boundaries in embryo research. The scientific community has struggled to establish a coherent nomenclature for these models, leading to confusion and sensationalism about their nature and applications. Moreover, recent publications by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Ethics Committee of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology have argued that embryonic models derived from stem cells are ineligible to be included in the definition of an embryo. However, some countries had already enacted legislation addressing the classification of certain models derived from stem cells as embryos prior to the issuance of these guidelines. This discrepancy engenders considerable tension among the scientific viewpoints of the countries safeguarded by these laws, with suggestions emerging from authoritative agencies. This research seeks to recognise the regulatory and ethical void created by inconsistent definitions of embryo-like entities and to advocate for a framework fostering interdisciplinary agreement in response to recent advancements. Alternatively, we aim to promote a bioethics that not only supports legislative decisions but also guarantees their validation before their implementation. We argue that without a unified interdisciplinary framework, legal structures may become fragmented, jeopardising both research integrity and public trust. (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.) |
| Competing Interests: | Competing interests: None declared. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Embryo Research; Ethics, Research; Stem Cell Research |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251107 Date Completed: 20260922 Latest Revision: 20260922 |
| Update Code: | 20260923 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/jme-2025-111132 |
| PMID: | 41203403 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1473-4257 |
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| DOI: | 10.1136/jme-2025-111132 |