Reviewing the 14-day rule for research on human embryos

Since the 14-day rule was enacted in 1990, there have been significant developments in stem cell and human embryonic science, in addition to significant social and cultural changes.

This necessitates an ‘ethical stock take’ to re-evaluate fundamental ethical questions and their policy implications.

This project aims to provide decision makers with robust, independent evidence on embryo culture limits and inform UK legislative reform. A series of phased activities are proposed.

When taken together these will result in practical policy insights to support Government to make evidence-based decisions as to whether to review the 14-day rule. Short accessible outputs will be produced at the end of each phase, culminating in a summary report.

Phase 1: Review of the short, medium and long-term potential of the science of human embryo research, including futures exercise. Phase 2: Review of the ethics of human embryo research, including future scenarios and ethical workshops.

Phase 3: UK-based deliberative dialogue to understand public views and values surrounding human embryo research and its limits.

Phase 4: Multi-disciplinary Working Group to review evidence gathered in phases 1-3; and to deliberate and appraise different policy options, considering trade-offs, stakeholder and public attitudes, and the international research landscape.