International perspective on embryonic stem cell research.
OBJECTIVE
To comparatively analyze governmental regulations on embryonic stem cell research among countries.


METHODS
The study was performed between March and May 2008, using a direct electronic search through official databases of legislative documents from 25 selected countries, confirmed by email consultation with researchers and authorities from these countries, when necessary.


RESULTS
Results showed a trend to allow the practice of embryonic stem cell research, though with strict ethical restrictions. Among the countries analyzed, only Italy and Germany explicitly condemned the extraction of stem cells and only Italy prohibits their subsequent use. Recent judicial decisions in Brazil are in accordance with the international regulatory context of embryo research.


CONCLUSIONS
The trend observed represents freedom of research to promote knowledge as a public good, emphasized by the expectation of therapeutic potentiality of embryonic stem cell research to treat and cure diseases without any medical care.
Anis Instituto de Bioética, Direitos Humanos e Gênero, Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Debora
D
Diniz
Daniel
D
Avelino
D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality