Calls for regulations on stem cell research
This is according to the Irish Council for Bioethics (ICB), which yesterday produced an opinion paper on the ethical, scientific and legal issues concerning stem cell research.
The council said embryos created in laboratories do not have the same moral standing as those developing in the womb, but they still had significant value to society and so deserved respect.
It said by dragging its heels on this area of policy, the Government was potentially hindering the development of medical treatments.
“The council recommends the establishment of a state-funded regulatory authority, which would function independently and transparently to oversee embryo research.
“Such an authority should be tasked with the registration, licensing and inspection of persons, premises, activities working with human embryos and/or embryonic material,” said the paper.
Controversially, the ICB backed the use of stem cells taken from unused embryos left over from In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
It also supported the importation of embryonic stem cells.
It said on balance the “gold standard” potential offered by these cells against those extracted from adult tissue could not be ignored.
“In other words, we value embryos, but we also value the welfare of patients and, thereby, we value medical progress,” it said.
The ICB was established in 2002 by the Department of Enterprise to act as an independent think-tank for issues arising from developments in science and medicine.
Yesterday, it launched its first major policy document on the stem cell issue.
The ICB received 2,188 submissions during a public consultation phase prior to the preparation of the report. However, it accepted the policy document was not reflective of the balance of opinion it received.
It justified this because it said the general public was largely unaware of the stem cell debate, so a large proportion of submissions came from those with vested interests.
“On the matter of skewed findings, given the self-selection of respondents, the findings could not be representative of public opinion at large.
“Rather, the views expressed reflect those of individuals who were aware of the consultation process and who felt strongly enough about the topic to spend time and effort to submit their views to the council,” it said.
The ICB said on balance it felt its opinion was the most morally correct approach, in that it avoided hypocrisy, recognised the realities of IVF treatment and still offered the most potential for those needing treatment for degenerative diseases.
“The council believes that the moral value of human embryos that will otherwise remain frozen or be destroyed needs to be balanced against the moral value of human welfare, which is likely to increase with advances in medical science that ameliorate quality of life,” it said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
