title: The regulation of human embryo and stem-cell research in the United Kingdom.
abstract: In the United Kingdom, the derivation of human embryonic stem (ES) cells falls under the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act and subsequent amendments that were adopted in 2001. These laws do not regulate research with ES cells, which follows specific national guidelines. Owing to rapid progress in science and to changes in legal and public opinion, the current British Government proposed further radical amendments in a new HFE Bill. These will have important consequences for research and clinical practice that involve both embryos and stem cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK. rlovell@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lovell-Badge
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012106:Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D013234:Stem Cells; D006113:United Kingdom