26E7F511E9C44DFFD7F23D49E7875FB2
Report on Stem Cells, Cloning, and Research
https://tukija.fi/documents/1481661/1546647/2005cells.pdf/c14b7dd0-11b4-428d-bdae-539566ade614
Examining the file media/Synopses/0A86A044683D1E142F42FEE5422E5DBC.html:
This file was generated: 2020-02-18 01:10:23
| Indicators in focus are typically shown highlighted in yellow; |
Peer Indicators (that share the same Vulnerability association) are shown highlighted in pink; |
"Outside" Indicators (those that do NOT share the same Vulnerability association) are shown highlighted in green; |
Trigger Words/Phrases are shown highlighted in gray. |
Link to Orphaned Trigger Words (Appendix (Indicator List, Indicator Peers, Trigger Words, Type/Vulnerability/Indicator Overlay)
Applicable Type / Vulnerability / Indicator Overlay for this Input
Political / Political
Searching for indicator political:
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p.000002: clarification of the wording is therefore necessary. The Act defines an embryo as “a living group of cells resulting
p.000002: from fertilization not implanted in a woman’s body” (s. 2). Fertilization refers to the fusion of ovum and sperm.
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p.000003: 3
p.000003:
p.000003: Finland’s national advisory boards on ethics have written this report in order to stimulate discussion on human stem
p.000003: cells, their potential uses, ethical issues and the lack of clarity in their regulation. The report is intended as a
p.000003: source of information for anyone interested and for those working in health care and research sectors, for the media
p.000003: and for national decision-makers to aid them in political and administrative decisions.
p.000003:
p.000003:
p.000003: What are stem cells?
p.000003: Stem cells are undifferentiated cells from which other cells originate. Stem cells have the ability either to divide
p.000003: indefinitely or to differentiate into other cell types. Their ability to differentiate varies. Some stem cells
p.000003: differentiate only into cells of certain tissues, while others can differentiate into many cell types. Stem cells are
p.000003: grouped according to their ability to differentiate and their origin. The stem cell that is most able to differentiate
p.000003: is the fertilized ovum. It is the origin of all tissue types and the developing human body. Other stem cells –
p.000003: embryonic, fetal and adult stem cells – are much more limited in their ability to differentiate.
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Health / Comatose
Searching for indicator unlawful:
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p.000011: embryos from IVF treatment have been used for research in Finland.
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p.000011: Cloning and the law
p.000011: If the group of cells created by SCNT is used only to produce stem cells that are of a certain type, the cell mass is
p.000011: allowed to grow until days 6 –7 and then destroyed when the stem cells are isolated. If the same cell mass was to be
p.000011: transferred into a uterus and allowed to grow and develop into an individual, this would be reproductive cloning, the
p.000011: aim of which is to create an individual genetically identical to the donor of the somatic cell nucleus.
p.000011: However, according to present legislation, an embryo used for research may not be implanted in a human body.
p.000011: Additionally, research aimed at cloning human beings is forbidden as an unlawful intervention in the genome, for which
p.000011: a person
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p.000011:
p.000011: 9 Act on the Medical Use of Human Organs and Tissues, s. 20. 10 Act on the Medical Use of Human Organs and Tissues,
p.000011: s. 7.
p.000011: 11 Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the
p.000011: Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. European Treaty Series 164.
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p.000012: can be fined or imprisoned for a period not exceeding two years. Any intervention seeking to create a human being
p.000012: genetically identical to another human being is also prohibited by the Additional Protocol to the Convention for the
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Health / Drug Usage
Searching for indicator influence:
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p.000004:
p.000004: Figure 1. The production of stem cells from embryos remaining after fertility treatment (According to National
p.000004: Bioethics Advisory Commission: Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research, Volume I, 1999, p. 11).
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p.000004: The use of stem cells in medicine
p.000004: Stem cells can divide an unlimited number of times as long as they are undifferenti- ated. Differentiation can be
p.000004: regulated under cell culture conditions. As soon as stem cells differentiate, they start to act as differentiated
p.000004: cells: nerve cell starts to mediate nervous impulses, the heart muscle cells contract, and cells of the endocrine
p.000004: system start to produce hormones. Functioning tissue cells undergo virtually no division. Several factors in the human
p.000004: body are known to influence the differentiation and growth of stem cells. Stem cells have a strong tendency to
p.000004: differentiate into certain cell types, and preventing them from differentiating requires special conditions and
p.000004: expertise. Controlled growth and differentiation result from several factors, not all of which are known.
p.000004: Stem cells may help to treat disorders arising from tissue destruction. Juvenile diabetes is a disorder in which
p.000004: insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. If these cells could be produced from stem cells and
p.000004: transferred to the patient, the disorder could be cured. Stem cells have been used to study Parkinson’s disease and its
p.000004: treatment.
p.000004: Blood stem cells derived from placenta and blood marrow are used routinely to replace bone marrow cells that have been
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Health / Health
Searching for indicator health:
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p.000002: Human stem cells, cloning
p.000002: and research
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p.000002: TENK
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p.000002: National Advi- sory Board on Research Ethics
p.000002: ET E N E
p.000002:
p.000002: The National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics
p.000002: TUKIJA
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p.000002: Sub-committee on Medical Re- search Ethics
p.000002: KY T Ö
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p.000002: Cooperation Group for Labo- ratory Animal Sciences
p.000002: BTNK
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p.000002: National Advisory Board on Bio- technology
p.000002: GTLK
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p.000002: Board for Gene Technology
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p.000002: Research Act (488/1999) does not define the cell mass produced by nuclear transfer unambiguously as an embryo, and
p.000002: clarification of the wording is therefore necessary. The Act defines an embryo as “a living group of cells resulting
p.000002: from fertilization not implanted in a woman’s body” (s. 2). Fertilization refers to the fusion of ovum and sperm.
p.000002:
p.000003: 3
p.000003:
p.000003: Finland’s national advisory boards on ethics have written this report in order to stimulate discussion on human stem
p.000003: cells, their potential uses, ethical issues and the lack of clarity in their regulation. The report is intended as a
p.000003: source of information for anyone interested and for those working in health care and research sectors, for the media
p.000003: and for national decision-makers to aid them in political and administrative decisions.
p.000003:
p.000003:
p.000003: What are stem cells?
p.000003: Stem cells are undifferentiated cells from which other cells originate. Stem cells have the ability either to divide
p.000003: indefinitely or to differentiate into other cell types. Their ability to differentiate varies. Some stem cells
p.000003: differentiate only into cells of certain tissues, while others can differentiate into many cell types. Stem cells are
p.000003: grouped according to their ability to differentiate and their origin. The stem cell that is most able to differentiate
p.000003: is the fertilized ovum. It is the origin of all tissue types and the developing human body. Other stem cells –
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p.000010: require a separate institutional permit. Neither do other restrictions that specifically concern research on embryos
p.000010: apply to research on stem cell lines. In order to conduct the study, however, the approval of an ethics committee is
p.000010: required, and the consent of the sample donor will be needed if the sample is subsequently to be used for another
p.000010:
p.000010: 8 Medical Research Act, s. 11–15.
p.000010:
p.000011: 11
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p.000011: purpose. If the identity of the donors cannot be ascertained, research on stem cell cultures does not require the
p.000011: donors’ consent. In such cases, permission to change the original purpose of the sample (stem cells) is given by the
p.000011: health care unit for whose purposes the sample was originally taken.9
p.000011: If tissue is collected in the connection with termination of pregnancy, permission from the woman or her representative
p.000011: and the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs is required.10
p.000011:
p.000011:
p.000011: Therapeutic cloning and Finnish law
p.000011: The use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create groups of cells that behave similarly to a human embryo
p.000011: involves not only ethical but also legal issues. Section 2 of the Research Act defines an embryo as “a living group of
p.000011: cells resulting from ferti- lization not implanted in a woman’s body”. The core question is then whether a living group
p.000011: of cells created by SCNT must legally be regarded as an embryo, despite the fact that it did not arise through
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p.000012: to the Application of Biology and Medicine, on the Protection of Cloning Human Beings. European Treaty Series 168.
p.000012:
p.000013: 13
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p.000013: consent must be written and based on sufficient information. If the cells or samples used have been previously stored
p.000013: (for example for medical or diagnostic purposes), and the donor’s identity is not connected to the sample in the
p.000013: research project, the study can be conducted without the consent of the donors. In this situation, permission to use
p.000013: the sample will be given by the health care or other unit for whose purposes the sample was originally taken. If the
p.000013: sample is identifiable, a change in the original purpose of the sample generally requires the donor’s consent.13
p.000013:
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p.000013: Examples from other countries14
p.000013: Sweden
p.000013: In Sweden the Act on the Use of Fertilized Ova (1991:115) also applies to research on stem cells. Research on embryos
p.000013: is allowed for 14 days after fertilization (excluding deep freeze storage for 5 years, which is permitted). After this
p.000013: the embryos must be destroyed. The Act is also considered to apply to the production of embryonic stem cells from
p.000013: fertilized ova. The Act does not regulate the use of embryos for research purposes or the production of embryos through
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p.000017:
p.000017: Nordic Committee on Bioethics: Legislation on Biotechnology in the Nordic Countries – an overview. At:
p.000017: http://www.ncbio.org/biolawupdate/
p.000017:
p.000017: Nordic Committee on Bioethics: The Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research. Report from a workshop, October 2000.
p.000017: Nord 2001:21.
p.000017:
p.000017: Spanish Advisory Committee on Ethics of Scientific and Technical Research: Report on Stem Cell Research, June 2003.
p.000017:
p.000017: Stem cell research: medical progress with responsibility: a report from the Chief Medical Officer’s Expert Group,
p.000017: reviewing the potential of developments in stem cell research to benefit human health, 2000
p.000017: (http://www.doh.gov.uk/cegc/stemcellreport.htm).
p.000017:
p.000017: Stem Cell Therapy: the ethical issues. A discussion paper. Nuffield Council on Bioethics, 2000.
p.000017:
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p.000018: 18
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p.000018: Contact information
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018: National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (TENK)
p.000018: Ritarikatu 1, FI-00170 Helsinki, Finland
p.000018: tel. +358-9- 2286 9234, telefax +358-9- 2286 9244
p.000018: tenk@tsv.fi http://pro.tsv.fi/tenk
p.000018:
p.000018: National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics (ETENE)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Kirkkokatu 14, Helsinki
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland
p.000018: tel. +358-9-160 74357, telefax +358-9-160 74312
p.000018: etene@stm.fi www.etene.org/e/
p.000018:
p.000018: Sub-Committee on Medical Research Ethics (TUKIJA)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Kirkkokatu 14, Helsinki
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland
p.000018: tel. +358-9-160 74357, telefax +358-9-160 74312
p.000018: etene@stm.fi www.etene.org/e/tukija/
p.000018:
p.000018: Cooperation Group for Laboratory Animal Sciences (KYTÖ)
p.000018: Ministry of Agriculture Mariankatu 23
p.000018: P.O. Box 30, FI-00023 Government, Finland pia.vikman-roslin@mmm.fi
p.000018: http://www.mmm.fi/koe-elaintoiminta
p.000018:
p.000018: Advisory Board on Biotechnology (BTNK)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and health
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland Tel. +358-9-160 01, telefax +358-9-160 73825
p.000018: sihteeri@biotekniikanneuvottelukunta.fi www.biotekniikanneuvottelukunta.fi
p.000018:
p.000018: Board for Gene Technology (GTLK)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland tel . +358-9-16001, telefax +358-9-160 73876
p.000018: palaute@geenitekniikanlautakunta.fi www.geenitekniikanlautakunta.fi
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p.000019: • National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (TENK) • National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics (ETENE) •
p.000019: Sub-committee on Medical Research Ethics (TUKIJA)
p.000019: • Cooperation Group for Laboratory Animal Sciences (KYTÖ) • National Advisory Board on Biotechnology (BTNK) • Board for
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Social / Fetus/Neonate
Searching for indicator fetus:
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p.000003: embryonic, fetal and adult stem cells – are much more limited in their ability to differentiate.
p.000003: Embryonic stem cells are obtained from the embryos remaining after fertility treat- ment. The fertilized ovum is
p.000003: allowed to divide for 6 – 7 days, at which point it consists of about one hundred cells. An inner cell mass of 20 – 30
p.000003: cells can be recognized. All these cells are undifferentiated stem cells and have unlimited scope for division under
p.000003: cell culture conditions. In principle they can differentiate into any cell or tissue type, but they cannot create an
p.000003: embryo and thus an individual.
p.000003: There are quite a large number of stem cells in the developing fetus. Fetal stem cells can be isolated from fetuses
p.000003: obtained from terminated pregnancies, provided the woman concerned gives her written consent for their use in research.
p.000003: In Finland a lot of research is being done with fetal neuronal stem cells.
p.000003: Stem cells are also present in the different organs of fully developed individuals, in which case they are regarded as
p.000003: adult type stem cells. These cells have a limited ability to differentiate. The best known source of adult stem cells
p.000003: is bone marrow, from which blood stem cells can readily be isolated. Certain growth factors prompt bone marrow stem
p.000003: cells to divide and to be released into the blood stream, where they can be collected. Many other tissues have stem
p.000003: cells, for example skin and neural tissue, but these are individual cells and not easy to isolate. Stem cell numbers
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p.000007: therapeutic purposes can only be isolated from bone marrow. Research in this area is at an early stage, and it is not
p.000007: clear whether reasonable numbers of stem cells can be derived from other sources for treatment and research purposes,
p.000007: or whether these cells are sufficiently capable of differentiating. In some animals, stem cells from somatic tissues
p.000007: have been reported to function in the same way as embryonic stem cells, but its has not been possible to repeat these
p.000007: results.
p.000007: The best sources of stem cells are fetuses and embryos. Fetal stem cell lines can be cultured from cells isolated from
p.000007: aborted fetuses. Stem cells from embryos can be isolated from 5–7 day-old blastocysts. The collection of stem cells of
p.000007: both fetal and embryonic origins involves destruction of the “donor” – the fetus or embryo – and this is ethically
p.000007: problematic.
p.000007:
p.000007:
p.000007: Ethical issues connected with the use of fetal stem cells
p.000007: 10,000 –11,000 terminations of pregnancy are performed in Finland every year. Most are performed for social reasons
p.000007: before the 12th gestational week. The fetuses donated from these terminations are studied very rarely. The woman
p.000007: undergoing pregnancy termination will be asked for her consent for the research. The research project must be approved
p.000007: by an ethics committee prior to the start of the research, and it has to have permission from the head of the research
p.000007: unit.
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p.000008: many couples that use infertility treatment services wish to use one or both of their own gametes.
p.000008: Embryonic stem cells are isolated from embryos destroyed during the isolation procedure. In many European countries
p.000008: embryonic stem cells are considered equal to other cultured cell lines. The prerequisite for the use of embryos is the
p.000008: consent of the gamete donors. In other European countries an embryo is regarded as having basic human rights that
p.000008: should be protected. In these countries the life of a person is considered to start at fertilization of the ovum, and
p.000008: interference with the life of an embryo violates the rights of the embryo and developing fetus and thus is against the
p.000008: dignity of life. For this reason research on embryos is often forbidden in these countries. Opponents of research on
p.000008: embryonic stem cells also argue that the interests of another person are put above those of the embryo.
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p.000009: Ethical issues connected with therapeutic cloning
p.000009: Therapeutic cloning requires unfertilized ova that can be made to divide and develop like a fertilized ovum through
p.000009: somatic cell nuclear transfer. In this situation the ova are used for the benefit of the somatic cell donor and his/her
p.000009: treatment. Many people who oppose therapeutic cloning say that this procedure exploits both the embryo and the women
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Social / Incarcerated
Searching for indicator restricted:
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p.000004: insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. If these cells could be produced from stem cells and
p.000004: transferred to the patient, the disorder could be cured. Stem cells have been used to study Parkinson’s disease and its
p.000004: treatment.
p.000004: Blood stem cells derived from placenta and blood marrow are used routinely to replace bone marrow cells that have been
p.000004: destroyed in cancer treatment. Blood stem cell transplantation is preceded by cytostatic treatment, which destroys not
p.000004: just the cancer cells but also the patient’s bone marrow cells. The transplanted blood stem cells find their way into
p.000004: the bone marrow and start to act as bone marrow cells, producing red blood cells, various kinds of white blood cells
p.000004: and platelets.
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p.000005: 5
p.000005:
p.000005: The usefulness of stem cell therapy is restricted by the body’s rejection of cells and tissues. Structures present on
p.000005: cell surfaces cause the cells to be rejected when transplanted into another body. The use of stem cells in cell and
p.000005: tissue transplanta- tions thus requires donor and recipient tissues to be compatible. If stem cells obtained from
p.000005: another individual are used in the treatment of a disorder, thousands of cell lines would be needed from which to
p.000005: select suitable ones for the recipient.
p.000005: The therapeutic use of stem cells is also restricted by the fact that their differen- tiation is somewhat
p.000005: unpredictable. Stem cells have the ability to divide indefinitely, a characteristic they share with cancer cells. The
p.000005: fear of uncontrolled growth and cancer limits the use of stem cells. On the other hand, if stem cells could be made to
p.000005: differentiate into certain cell types, such as insulin-producing islets of Langerhans cells or nerve cells, they would
p.000005: not be expected to revert to dividing cells.
p.000005:
p.000005: Nuclear transfer and cloning
p.000005: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a procedure in which the nucleus of an unferti- lized egg is replaced by a
p.000005: somatic cell nucleus, either a nucleus from the ovum donor, or a nucleus from a cell of another person. The somatic
p.000005: cell nucleus contains 46 chro- mosomes, i.e. the complete genotype. The egg contains only 23 chromosomes, half of the
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Social / Marital Status
Searching for indicator single:
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p.000007: as Parkinson’s disease, especially in Sweden and the United States. The problem has been the low recovery of stem
p.000007: cells, making the treatment rarely available and expensive.
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p.000008: 8
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p.000008: Ethical issues connected with embryonic stem cells
p.000008: Embryonic stem cells are able to differentiate into different cell types. Thus they are subject to the greatest
p.000008: expectations. In theory embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type and in this way can replace destroyed
p.000008: tissues.
p.000008: Embryonic stem cells are obtained from fertilized ova, which are produced in infer- tility treatments. Hormone
p.000008: treatment in cases of assisted reproduction may sometimes produce only a few single ova, although sometimes tens of ova
p.000008: mature during the same treatment. In vitro fertilization is not always successful, and only some of the developing
p.000008: embryos are viable. For this reason several embryos are almost always produced during a course of one treatment, those
p.000008: that are not implanted into the woman’s body being deep frozen for future use. Only one fourth of In vitro fertiliza-
p.000008: tions are successful. It is therefore also in the interests of the couple concerned that as many hormonally matured ova
p.000008: as possible are collected and fertilized during the same treatment period. This saves money, relieves the burden on the
p.000008: couple involved in the infertility treatment, and spares the woman the procedures she has to undergo, together with the
p.000008: associated risks.
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Social / Philosophical Differences/Difference of Opinion
Searching for indicator opinion:
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p.000014: amended. Under the amendment, superfluous embryos and fetal stem cells can be studied under strict regulations for a
p.000014: period not exceed- ing five provided the donors of the gametes have given their informed consent. Both therapeutic and
p.000014: reproductive cloning are forbidden.
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p.000015: 15
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p.000015: Belgium
p.000015: In autumn 2003, Belgium introduced new legislation governing research on in vitro fertilized embryos that allows the
p.000015: production of embryos solely for research purposes. The embryos can be produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer.
p.000015: Supernumerary em- bryos can be used to produce embryonic cell lines.
p.000015: The research is very strictly regulated and requires a national opinion before it can be started. Any study on embryos
p.000015: must be aimed at the development of treatment methods, it must be performed at an institute licensed for such research
p.000015: under the leadership of an expert, it must not take more than 14 days, and must constitute the most effective way to
p.000015: conduct the research. The consent of the donors of the gametes is also required.
p.000015:
p.000015: USA
p.000015: There is no legislation on stem cell research or cloning in the USA. Government rules state that the US funds research
p.000015: only on embryonic cell lines that have existed since August 2001. There is a lot of discussion in the US Senate about
p.000015: the ban on both therapeutic and reproductive cloning.
p.000015:
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p.000015: In conclusion
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p.000017: SEC(2003)441, Brussels 3.4.2003.
p.000017:
p.000017: Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research, Volume 1: Report and Recommendations of the National Bioethics Advisory
p.000017: Commission, 1999.
p.000017:
p.000017: European Commission, Directorate General: Research. Survey on opinions from Na- tional Ethics Committees or similar
p.000017: bodies, public debate and national legislation in relation to human embryonic stem cell research and use, Vol. 1 (EU
p.000017: Member States), Vol. 2 (Accession, associated and third countries). Edited by Line Matthiessen-Guyader, September 2003.
p.000017:
p.000017: European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE): Opinion No. 15 regarding ethical aspects of human
p.000017: embryonic stem cell research, 14 November 2000.
p.000017:
p.000017: German National Ethics Council: The Import of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Opinion, December 2001.
p.000017:
p.000017: Ihmisen perimään ja kantasolujen tutkimuksen haasteet päätöksenteolle. Tulevaisuus- valiokunta. Evaluations of
p.000017: Technology 16. Publications of the Parliament of Finland 4/2003 (in Finnish).
p.000017:
p.000017: Kantasolutoimiala Suomessa. Toimijoiden näkemyksiä vuonna 2003. Technology report 148/2003, TEKES (in Finnish).
p.000017:
p.000017: Nordic Committee on Bioethics: Legislation on Biotechnology in the Nordic Countries – an overview. At:
p.000017: http://www.ncbio.org/biolawupdate/
p.000017:
p.000017: Nordic Committee on Bioethics: The Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research. Report from a workshop, October 2000.
p.000017: Nord 2001:21.
p.000017:
p.000017: Spanish Advisory Committee on Ethics of Scientific and Technical Research: Report on Stem Cell Research, June 2003.
p.000017:
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Social / Police Officer
Searching for indicator officer:
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p.000017: Technology 16. Publications of the Parliament of Finland 4/2003 (in Finnish).
p.000017:
p.000017: Kantasolutoimiala Suomessa. Toimijoiden näkemyksiä vuonna 2003. Technology report 148/2003, TEKES (in Finnish).
p.000017:
p.000017: Nordic Committee on Bioethics: Legislation on Biotechnology in the Nordic Countries – an overview. At:
p.000017: http://www.ncbio.org/biolawupdate/
p.000017:
p.000017: Nordic Committee on Bioethics: The Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research. Report from a workshop, October 2000.
p.000017: Nord 2001:21.
p.000017:
p.000017: Spanish Advisory Committee on Ethics of Scientific and Technical Research: Report on Stem Cell Research, June 2003.
p.000017:
p.000017: Stem cell research: medical progress with responsibility: a report from the Chief Medical Officer’s Expert Group,
p.000017: reviewing the potential of developments in stem cell research to benefit human health, 2000
p.000017: (http://www.doh.gov.uk/cegc/stemcellreport.htm).
p.000017:
p.000017: Stem Cell Therapy: the ethical issues. A discussion paper. Nuffield Council on Bioethics, 2000.
p.000017:
p.000017:
p.000018: 18
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018: Contact information
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018: National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (TENK)
p.000018: Ritarikatu 1, FI-00170 Helsinki, Finland
p.000018: tel. +358-9- 2286 9234, telefax +358-9- 2286 9244
p.000018: tenk@tsv.fi http://pro.tsv.fi/tenk
p.000018:
p.000018: National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics (ETENE)
...
Social / Religion
Searching for indicator special:
(return to top)
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004: The use of stem cells in medicine
p.000004: Stem cells can divide an unlimited number of times as long as they are undifferenti- ated. Differentiation can be
p.000004: regulated under cell culture conditions. As soon as stem cells differentiate, they start to act as differentiated
p.000004: cells: nerve cell starts to mediate nervous impulses, the heart muscle cells contract, and cells of the endocrine
p.000004: system start to produce hormones. Functioning tissue cells undergo virtually no division. Several factors in the human
p.000004: body are known to influence the differentiation and growth of stem cells. Stem cells have a strong tendency to
p.000004: differentiate into certain cell types, and preventing them from differentiating requires special conditions and
p.000004: expertise. Controlled growth and differentiation result from several factors, not all of which are known.
p.000004: Stem cells may help to treat disorders arising from tissue destruction. Juvenile diabetes is a disorder in which
p.000004: insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. If these cells could be produced from stem cells and
p.000004: transferred to the patient, the disorder could be cured. Stem cells have been used to study Parkinson’s disease and its
p.000004: treatment.
p.000004: Blood stem cells derived from placenta and blood marrow are used routinely to replace bone marrow cells that have been
p.000004: destroyed in cancer treatment. Blood stem cell transplantation is preceded by cytostatic treatment, which destroys not
p.000004: just the cancer cells but also the patient’s bone marrow cells. The transplanted blood stem cells find their way into
...
Social / Social
Searching for indicator social:
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p.000007: have been reported to function in the same way as embryonic stem cells, but its has not been possible to repeat these
p.000007: results.
p.000007: The best sources of stem cells are fetuses and embryos. Fetal stem cell lines can be cultured from cells isolated from
p.000007: aborted fetuses. Stem cells from embryos can be isolated from 5–7 day-old blastocysts. The collection of stem cells of
p.000007: both fetal and embryonic origins involves destruction of the “donor” – the fetus or embryo – and this is ethically
p.000007: problematic.
p.000007:
p.000007:
p.000007: Ethical issues connected with the use of fetal stem cells
p.000007: 10,000 –11,000 terminations of pregnancy are performed in Finland every year. Most are performed for social reasons
p.000007: before the 12th gestational week. The fetuses donated from these terminations are studied very rarely. The woman
p.000007: undergoing pregnancy termination will be asked for her consent for the research. The research project must be approved
p.000007: by an ethics committee prior to the start of the research, and it has to have permission from the head of the research
p.000007: unit.
p.000007: Fetal stem cells are studied at only a few research centers in Finland. When a woman coming for termination of
p.000007: pregnancy is asked for her consent, she will be told why and how the research is to be carried out. Obtaining consent
p.000007: has not been a problem.
...
p.000017: (http://www.doh.gov.uk/cegc/stemcellreport.htm).
p.000017:
p.000017: Stem Cell Therapy: the ethical issues. A discussion paper. Nuffield Council on Bioethics, 2000.
p.000017:
p.000017:
p.000018: 18
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018: Contact information
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018: National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (TENK)
p.000018: Ritarikatu 1, FI-00170 Helsinki, Finland
p.000018: tel. +358-9- 2286 9234, telefax +358-9- 2286 9244
p.000018: tenk@tsv.fi http://pro.tsv.fi/tenk
p.000018:
p.000018: National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics (ETENE)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Kirkkokatu 14, Helsinki
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland
p.000018: tel. +358-9-160 74357, telefax +358-9-160 74312
p.000018: etene@stm.fi www.etene.org/e/
p.000018:
p.000018: Sub-Committee on Medical Research Ethics (TUKIJA)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Kirkkokatu 14, Helsinki
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland
p.000018: tel. +358-9-160 74357, telefax +358-9-160 74312
p.000018: etene@stm.fi www.etene.org/e/tukija/
p.000018:
p.000018: Cooperation Group for Laboratory Animal Sciences (KYTÖ)
p.000018: Ministry of Agriculture Mariankatu 23
p.000018: P.O. Box 30, FI-00023 Government, Finland pia.vikman-roslin@mmm.fi
p.000018: http://www.mmm.fi/koe-elaintoiminta
p.000018:
p.000018: Advisory Board on Biotechnology (BTNK)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and health
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland Tel. +358-9-160 01, telefax +358-9-160 73825
p.000018: sihteeri@biotekniikanneuvottelukunta.fi www.biotekniikanneuvottelukunta.fi
p.000018:
p.000018: Board for Gene Technology (GTLK)
p.000018: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
p.000018: P.O. Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland tel . +358-9-16001, telefax +358-9-160 73876
p.000018: palaute@geenitekniikanlautakunta.fi www.geenitekniikanlautakunta.fi
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000018:
p.000019: 19
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p.000019:
p.000019:
...
Social / Women
Searching for indicator women:
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p.000008: dignity of life. For this reason research on embryos is often forbidden in these countries. Opponents of research on
p.000008: embryonic stem cells also argue that the interests of another person are put above those of the embryo.
p.000008:
p.000008:
p.000008:
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p.000009: 9
p.000009:
p.000009: Ethical issues connected with therapeutic cloning
p.000009: Therapeutic cloning requires unfertilized ova that can be made to divide and develop like a fertilized ovum through
p.000009: somatic cell nuclear transfer. In this situation the ova are used for the benefit of the somatic cell donor and his/her
p.000009: treatment. Many people who oppose therapeutic cloning say that this procedure exploits both the embryo and the women
p.000009: who donated the ovum. Therapeutic cloning is also opposed because it produces cell masses that can be considered as
p.000009: embryos ultimately for research purposes. In many international conventions and recommendations the formation of an
p.000009: embryo solely for research purposes is forbidden.
p.000009: Therapeutic cloning is possibly the only means to produce immunologically identi- cal tissues for treatment purposes.
p.000009: Rejection is the main cause of failure in organ and tissue transplantations. In this therapy, rejection must be
p.000009: prevented by long-term, often lifelong, preventive medicine.
p.000009: SCNT techniques are also opposed because the procedure can be used to clone humans, i.e. to produce an identical
p.000009: individual to the somatic cell nucleus donor, which is forbidden under many international agreements.
p.000009:
p.000009:
p.000009: Stem cells and Finnish legislation
...
General/Other / Cultural Differences
Searching for indicator culture:
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p.000003: grouped according to their ability to differentiate and their origin. The stem cell that is most able to differentiate
p.000003: is the fertilized ovum. It is the origin of all tissue types and the developing human body. Other stem cells –
p.000003: embryonic, fetal and adult stem cells – are much more limited in their ability to differentiate.
p.000003: Embryonic stem cells are obtained from the embryos remaining after fertility treat- ment. The fertilized ovum is
p.000003: allowed to divide for 6 – 7 days, at which point it consists of about one hundred cells. An inner cell mass of 20 – 30
p.000003: cells can be recognized. All these cells are undifferentiated stem cells and have unlimited scope for division under
p.000003: cell culture conditions. In principle they can differentiate into any cell or tissue type, but they cannot create an
p.000003: embryo and thus an individual.
p.000003: There are quite a large number of stem cells in the developing fetus. Fetal stem cells can be isolated from fetuses
p.000003: obtained from terminated pregnancies, provided the woman concerned gives her written consent for their use in research.
p.000003: In Finland a lot of research is being done with fetal neuronal stem cells.
p.000003: Stem cells are also present in the different organs of fully developed individuals, in which case they are regarded as
p.000003: adult type stem cells. These cells have a limited ability to differentiate. The best known source of adult stem cells
...
p.000004: 4
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004: In Vitro
p.000004: Fertilisation Cleavage
p.000004:
p.000004: Blastocyst (6–7 Days)
p.000004:
p.000004: Cells from
p.000004: Inner Cell Mass Cultured ES Cells
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004: Specific Cell and Tissue Types
p.000004:
p.000004: Figure 1. The production of stem cells from embryos remaining after fertility treatment (According to National
p.000004: Bioethics Advisory Commission: Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research, Volume I, 1999, p. 11).
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004: The use of stem cells in medicine
p.000004: Stem cells can divide an unlimited number of times as long as they are undifferenti- ated. Differentiation can be
p.000004: regulated under cell culture conditions. As soon as stem cells differentiate, they start to act as differentiated
p.000004: cells: nerve cell starts to mediate nervous impulses, the heart muscle cells contract, and cells of the endocrine
p.000004: system start to produce hormones. Functioning tissue cells undergo virtually no division. Several factors in the human
p.000004: body are known to influence the differentiation and growth of stem cells. Stem cells have a strong tendency to
p.000004: differentiate into certain cell types, and preventing them from differentiating requires special conditions and
p.000004: expertise. Controlled growth and differentiation result from several factors, not all of which are known.
p.000004: Stem cells may help to treat disorders arising from tissue destruction. Juvenile diabetes is a disorder in which
...
p.000011: and the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs is required.10
p.000011:
p.000011:
p.000011: Therapeutic cloning and Finnish law
p.000011: The use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create groups of cells that behave similarly to a human embryo
p.000011: involves not only ethical but also legal issues. Section 2 of the Research Act defines an embryo as “a living group of
p.000011: cells resulting from ferti- lization not implanted in a woman’s body”. The core question is then whether a living group
p.000011: of cells created by SCNT must legally be regarded as an embryo, despite the fact that it did not arise through
p.000011: fertilization. The use of SCNT in therapeutic cloning
p.000011: – in which the tissue type of the stem cell culture is identical to that of the recipient
p.000011: – is dependent on the answer to this question. After all, the Research Act – like the Council of Europe Convention on
p.000011: Human Rights and Biomedicine – forbids the crea- tion of embryos solely for research purposes.11 Up to now, only excess
p.000011: embryos from IVF treatment have been used for research in Finland.
p.000011:
p.000011:
p.000011: Cloning and the law
p.000011: If the group of cells created by SCNT is used only to produce stem cells that are of a certain type, the cell mass is
p.000011: allowed to grow until days 6 –7 and then destroyed when the stem cells are isolated. If the same cell mass was to be
p.000011: transferred into a uterus and allowed to grow and develop into an individual, this would be reproductive cloning, the
...
General/Other / Dependent
Searching for indicator dependent:
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p.000011:
p.000011:
p.000011: Therapeutic cloning and Finnish law
p.000011: The use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create groups of cells that behave similarly to a human embryo
p.000011: involves not only ethical but also legal issues. Section 2 of the Research Act defines an embryo as “a living group of
p.000011: cells resulting from ferti- lization not implanted in a woman’s body”. The core question is then whether a living group
p.000011: of cells created by SCNT must legally be regarded as an embryo, despite the fact that it did not arise through
p.000011: fertilization. The use of SCNT in therapeutic cloning
p.000011: – in which the tissue type of the stem cell culture is identical to that of the recipient
p.000011: – is dependent on the answer to this question. After all, the Research Act – like the Council of Europe Convention on
p.000011: Human Rights and Biomedicine – forbids the crea- tion of embryos solely for research purposes.11 Up to now, only excess
p.000011: embryos from IVF treatment have been used for research in Finland.
p.000011:
p.000011:
p.000011: Cloning and the law
p.000011: If the group of cells created by SCNT is used only to produce stem cells that are of a certain type, the cell mass is
p.000011: allowed to grow until days 6 –7 and then destroyed when the stem cells are isolated. If the same cell mass was to be
p.000011: transferred into a uterus and allowed to grow and develop into an individual, this would be reproductive cloning, the
p.000011: aim of which is to create an individual genetically identical to the donor of the somatic cell nucleus.
...
General/Other / Diminished Autonomy
Searching for indicator age:
(return to top)
p.000003: In Finland a lot of research is being done with fetal neuronal stem cells.
p.000003: Stem cells are also present in the different organs of fully developed individuals, in which case they are regarded as
p.000003: adult type stem cells. These cells have a limited ability to differentiate. The best known source of adult stem cells
p.000003: is bone marrow, from which blood stem cells can readily be isolated. Certain growth factors prompt bone marrow stem
p.000003: cells to divide and to be released into the blood stream, where they can be collected. Many other tissues have stem
p.000003: cells, for example skin and neural tissue, but these are individual cells and not easy to isolate. Stem cell numbers
p.000003: vary between different tissues and also according to the age of the individual: the younger the person the greater the
p.000003: proportion of stem cells and the greater the tissue’s capac- ity for regeneration. The blood of newborn babies contains
p.000003: large numbers of blood stem cells. After delivery they can be isolated from the placenta, which otherwise is waste. The
p.000003: Finnish Red Cross blood service maintains a bank of blood stem cells obtained from placentas.
p.000003:
p.000004: 4
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004: In Vitro
p.000004: Fertilisation Cleavage
p.000004:
p.000004: Blastocyst (6–7 Days)
p.000004:
p.000004: Cells from
p.000004: Inner Cell Mass Cultured ES Cells
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004:
p.000004: Specific Cell and Tissue Types
p.000004:
...
General/Other / Relationship to Authority
Searching for indicator authority:
(return to top)
p.000009: 5 Act on Blood Services (4.11.1994/968). 6 Medicines Act (10.4.1987/395).
p.000009: 7 The Governmental proposition to the Parliament for the Act on Medical Research and Amendment of
p.000009: the Act on the Status and Rights of Patients sections 6 and 9 (HE 229/1998 vp.).
p.000009:
p.000010: 10
p.000010:
p.000010:
p.000010:
p.000010:
p.000010: One example of a change of original purpose is when tissue has been originally taken for therapeutic or diagnostic
p.000010: purposes, such as gametes or embryos, and is then used for medical research or the treatment of another person.
p.000010:
p.000010:
p.000010: Legislation and research on embryos and fetuses
p.000010: Medical research on embryos requires that the institution where the research is con- ducted has obtained permission
p.000010: from the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs. Permission is given to the institution, not for the research
p.000010: project. In addition, every study on embryos requires the approval of the relevant ethics committee and written consent
p.000010: from both donors of the gametes from which the embryo has been created. The donors can withdraw their consent at any
p.000010: stage. Where research is conducted on an embryo inside a woman’s body, the consent must be given by the woman concerned
p.000010: and the relevant ethics committee must give its approval.
p.000010: The creation of embryos solely for research purposes is forbidden under Finnish law. An embryo that has been used for
...
p.000010: required, and the consent of the sample donor will be needed if the sample is subsequently to be used for another
p.000010:
p.000010: 8 Medical Research Act, s. 11–15.
p.000010:
p.000011: 11
p.000011:
p.000011: purpose. If the identity of the donors cannot be ascertained, research on stem cell cultures does not require the
p.000011: donors’ consent. In such cases, permission to change the original purpose of the sample (stem cells) is given by the
p.000011: health care unit for whose purposes the sample was originally taken.9
p.000011: If tissue is collected in the connection with termination of pregnancy, permission from the woman or her representative
p.000011: and the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs is required.10
p.000011:
p.000011:
p.000011: Therapeutic cloning and Finnish law
p.000011: The use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create groups of cells that behave similarly to a human embryo
p.000011: involves not only ethical but also legal issues. Section 2 of the Research Act defines an embryo as “a living group of
p.000011: cells resulting from ferti- lization not implanted in a woman’s body”. The core question is then whether a living group
p.000011: of cells created by SCNT must legally be regarded as an embryo, despite the fact that it did not arise through
p.000011: fertilization. The use of SCNT in therapeutic cloning
p.000011: – in which the tissue type of the stem cell culture is identical to that of the recipient
...
p.000014: Research is allowed provided it seeks to improve in vitro fertilization and preimplantation diagnostics. Research on
p.000014: fertilized eggs and embryonic stem cells is also permitted provided it produces information that can be applied to the
p.000014: treatment of diseases. Reproductive cloning is forbidden.
p.000014:
p.000014: United Kingdom
p.000014: The Act on Human Fertilization and Embryology regulates research on embryos. The Act allows research on embryos and
p.000014: stem cells from embryos left over from infertility treatment. In 2001 this Act was amended to allow therapeutic
p.000014: cloning, i.e. the forma- tion of an embryo solely for research purposes. This provoked much public discussion, but the
p.000014: UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has since granted several licenses for research aimed at therapeutic
p.000014: cloning.
p.000014: The Act does not cover isolated stem cell lines. The monitoring committee of the national stem cell bank has been asked
p.000014: to formulate rules for the use of stem cell lines. As the national authority, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology
p.000014: Authority grants licenses and regulates all research aimed at the production and use of human embryos.
p.000014:
p.000014: Germany
p.000014: The Act on the protection of an embryo forbids the use of human embryos in research but does not prevent the import of
p.000014: stem cell lines into Germany. The Act on the import and use of stem cells regulates importation and research. The Act
p.000014: forbids the import and use of embryonic stem cells. However, importation and research are permitted in the case of cell
p.000014: lines verifiably created before 1 January 2002, according to the rules of the country of origin, from superfluous
p.000014: embryos without monetary compensation, provided the embryos were intact and that there is no conflict with present
p.000014: legislation (for example Embryoninschutzgesetz).
p.000014: All research and importation of stem cells requires the permission of the national authority. Permission is granted on
p.000014: condition that the research is likely to result in substantial benefits and that it cannot be performed in another way.
p.000014:
p.000014: France
p.000014: Research on embryos and stem cells is forbidden by the Act on Bioethics (29.4.2005). The Act is currently being
p.000014: amended. Under the amendment, superfluous embryos and fetal stem cells can be studied under strict regulations for a
p.000014: period not exceed- ing five provided the donors of the gametes have given their informed consent. Both therapeutic and
p.000014: reproductive cloning are forbidden.
p.000014:
p.000014:
p.000015: 15
p.000015:
p.000015: Belgium
p.000015: In autumn 2003, Belgium introduced new legislation governing research on in vitro fertilized embryos that allows the
...
Orphaned Trigger Words
p.000002: KY T Ö
p.000002:
p.000002: Cooperation Group for Labo- ratory Animal Sciences
p.000002: BTNK
p.000002:
p.000002: National Advisory Board on Bio- technology
p.000002: GTLK
p.000002:
p.000002: Board for Gene Technology
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p.000002: Reproduction and dissemination of this publication are authorized provided that the source is fully acknowledged.
p.000002: Recommended citation: Finnish National Ethics Committees: Human stem cells, cloning and research. 20 pp. 2005,
p.000002: Helsinki, Finland.
p.000002: Original report: Ihmisen kantasolut,kloonaus ja tutkimus (2003) ISBN 952-442-678-1.
p.000002:
p.000002: Ritva Halila, Salla Lötjönen, Reetta Kettunen (eds) ISBN 952-00-1817-4 (print) ISBN 952-00-1818-2 (PDF).
p.000002: Printing: Kirjapaino Keili Oy, Vantaa 2005.
p.000002:
p.000002: 2
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p.000002:
p.000002: Human stem cells, cloning and research
p.000002:
p.000002:
p.000002:
p.000002: Research on human stem cells and the related ethics are being widely discussed not just in Europe but worldwide. The
p.000002: importance of this research and the medical applications that may result from it are recognized, but at the same time
p.000002: ethical aspects are much to the fore, as stem cell research is closely connected with embryo research. The research is
p.000002: regulated, but in some countries more strictly than others.
p.000002: In the United States, the federal government only provides research funding for certain embryonic stem cell lines. In
p.000002: some European countries research on human embryos is forbidden, which also limits research on embryonic stem cells. In
p.000002: Finland, human em- bryo research is subject to certain provisions. However, there are points in the legislation which
p.000002: require clarification and interpretation. The formation of an embryo exclusively for research purposes is forbidden, as
...
p.000010: from both donors of the gametes from which the embryo has been created. The donors can withdraw their consent at any
p.000010: stage. Where research is conducted on an embryo inside a woman’s body, the consent must be given by the woman concerned
p.000010: and the relevant ethics committee must give its approval.
p.000010: The creation of embryos solely for research purposes is forbidden under Finnish law. An embryo that has been used for
p.000010: research cannot be transferred into a human body, and embryos may not be kept alive for more than 14 days from their
p.000010: creation. This time limit excludes the time that the embryo has been kept frozen. Research on embryos and gametes for
p.000010: the purpose of developing methods for modifying hereditary properties is prohibited unless the research is designed to
p.000010: cure or prevent a serious hereditary disease.8
p.000010:
p.000010:
p.000010: Legislation and stem cell research
p.000010: Research on stem cells derived from living embryos is regulated by the general provi- sions on embryo research. Once
p.000010: the stem cells have been removed from the embryo, the embryo perishes, and the 14-day time limit no longer applies.
p.000010: There is no time limit for the life time of the cell lines derived from stem cells.
p.000010: Research that uses only stem cell lines derived from embryos (as against the embryos themselves) is research on human
p.000010: tissue, and subject to both the Tissue Act and the Research Act. Research on ready-made stem cell lines does not
p.000010: require a separate institutional permit. Neither do other restrictions that specifically concern research on embryos
...
p.000012: its final approach to therapeutic cloning. If we accept therapeutic cloning, we must either make a reservation to
p.000012: Article 18 of the Biomedicine Convention or make known the definition of the embryo as defined under Finnish law.
p.000012:
p.000012:
p.000012: Outlawed embryos?
p.000012: If regulation of embryo research is not applied to a living group of cells created by SCNT, because it is not
p.000012: considered as an embryo under the Research Act, which provisions apply? Will the “embryo” created by SCNT be entirely
p.000012: excluded from the protective measures that have been designed for embryos?
p.000012: Although a group of cells created by SCNT is not legally an embryo, it is nevertheless human tissue to which the
p.000012: provisions of the Research Act and the Tissue Act apply. The Research Act sets conditions for medical research
p.000012: projects, such as the approval of an ethics committee and qualifications in medicine or dentistry from the person in
p.000012: charge of the study. According to both the Research and the Tissue Acts, the donor of the ovum used for SCNT transfer
p.000012: must give her informed consent and must be given information about the nature and purpose of the study. Consent is also
p.000012: needed from the donor of the nucleus of the somatic cell (derived for example from a skin cell). The
p.000012:
p.000012:
p.000012: 12 Additional Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regards
p.000012: to the Application of Biology and Medicine, on the Protection of Cloning Human Beings. European Treaty Series 168.
p.000012:
p.000013: 13
p.000013:
p.000013: consent must be written and based on sufficient information. If the cells or samples used have been previously stored
p.000013: (for example for medical or diagnostic purposes), and the donor’s identity is not connected to the sample in the
...
p.000013: come into force on April 1st, 2005. Research aiming at reproductive cloning would be forbidden.
p.000013: In June 2003 Sweden introduced a new Act on Medical Research (2003:460) that regulates both medical research and
p.000013: research on biological material of human origin.
p.000013:
p.000013: Norway
p.000013: Norway’s legislation allows research on adult-type stem cells and, in some cases, also on fetal stem cells. Research on
p.000013: fertilized egg cells and embryos and their production for research, research on embryonic stem cells, reproductive
p.000013: cloning and somatic cell nuclear transfer are all forbidden under the Act on the Medical Use of Biotechnology
p.000013: (5.8.1994:56).
p.000013:
p.000013:
p.000013:
p.000013: 13 Act on the Medical Use of Human Organs and Tissues, sections 7 and 20.
p.000013: 14 European Commission, Directorate General: Research. Survey on opinions from National Ethics Committees or
p.000013: similar bodies, public debate and national legislation in relation to human embryonic stem cell research and use, Vol.
p.000013: 1 (EU Member States), Vol. 2 (Accession, associated and third countries). Edited by Line Matthiessen-Guyader, September
p.000013: 2003.
p.000013:
p.000014: 14
p.000014:
p.000014:
p.000014:
p.000014:
p.000014: Denmark
p.000014: The Act on Medically Assisted Reproduction (10.6.1997:460) regulates research on fertilized eggs and stem cells.
p.000014: Research is allowed provided it seeks to improve in vitro fertilization and preimplantation diagnostics. Research on
p.000014: fertilized eggs and embryonic stem cells is also permitted provided it produces information that can be applied to the
p.000014: treatment of diseases. Reproductive cloning is forbidden.
p.000014:
p.000014: United Kingdom
...
p.000015: taken are based on adequate infor- mation and properly balanced consideration.
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000015:
p.000016: 16
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016: Literature
p.000016: Legislation:
p.000016:
p.000016: Act on Medical Research (9.4.1999/488)
p.000016:
p.000016: The Governmental proposition to the Parliament for the Act on Medical Research and Amend- ment of the Act on the Status
p.000016: and Rights of Patients sections 6 and 9. HE 229/1998 vp
p.000016:
p.000016: The Act on the Medical Use of Organs and Tissues (2.2.2001/101)
p.000016:
p.000016: The Act on the Blood Transfusion Services (4.11.1994/1968) The Act on Medicines (10.4.1987/395) http://www.finlex.fi/
p.000016:
p.000016: International declarations and conventions:
p.000016:
p.000016: Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with Regard to the Application of Biology
p.000016: and Medicine. Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. Council of Europe. European Treaty Series 164 (1997)
p.000016:
p.000016: Additional Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with Regard to
p.000016: the Application of Biology and Medicine, on the Prohibition of Cloning Human Beings. Council of Europe. European Treaty
p.000016: Series 168, (1998)
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000016:
p.000017: 17
p.000017:
p.000017: Other reports:
p.000017:
p.000017: Commission of the European Communities: Commission staff working paper report on human embryonic stem cell research.
p.000017: SEC(2003)441, Brussels 3.4.2003.
p.000017:
p.000017: Ethical Issues in Human Stem Cell Research, Volume 1: Report and Recommendations of the National Bioethics Advisory
p.000017: Commission, 1999.
p.000017:
...
Appendix
Indicator List
| Indicator | Vulnerability |
|---|
| age | Diminished Autonomy |
| authority | Relationship to Authority |
| culture | Cultural Differences |
| dependent | Dependent |
| fetus | Fetus/Neonate |
| health | Health |
| influence | Drug Usage |
| officer | Police Officer |
| opinion | Philosophical Differences/Difference of Opinion |
| political | Political |
| restricted | Incarcerated |
| single | Marital Status |
| social | Social |
| special | Religion |
| unlawful | Comatose |
| women | Women |
Indicator Peers (Indicators in Same Vulnerability)
Trigger Words
consent
developing
ethics
protection
Applicable Type / Vulnerability / Indicator Overlay for this Input