Press release 03/2001
20 December 2001
Opinion on the import of human embryonic stem cells
After thorough deliberation the National Ethics Council is today publishing its Opinion on the import of human embryonic stem cells for research purposes. The result of the vote on stem cell imports was announced earlier, at a press conference on 29 November. The complete version of the Opinion is now available.
The Ethics Council decided at its inaugural meeting in June this year that it would express its views on this controversial issue by December.
The outcome of the extensive arguments for and against can be summarized in the following options:
| A |
The import of pluripotent human embryonic stem cells for a limited period only is deemed ethically acceptable provided that strict conditions (set out in detail in the Opinion) are satisfied, because the derivation of such stem cells from excess embryos is held to be ethically permissible. For this reason, the derivation of such stem cells from excess embryos in Germany too would be acceptable. The import conditions enumerated must apply equally to State-funded research and to research in the private sector. |
| B |
The provisional import of human embryonic stem cells, for a limited period only and subject to strict conditions (which are specified in detail), is advocated. All the conditions apply equally to State-funded research and to research in the private sector. All conditions must have been satisfied prior to importation. |
| C |
A provisional ban (moratorium) should be imposed on the import of stem cells. The legislator must take an explicit decision on imports, but must first settle a number of points, which are enumerated. The examination of these points should be completed by the end of 2004 |
| D |
The import of stem cells is deemed ethically impermissible. This view is based on considerations of principle concerning the derivation of stem cells from human embryos. Since this is seen as an impermissible instrumentalization of human life (killing), the import of such cells must also be rejected. The imported cells bear the ethical stigma of the conditions of their genesis; through the increase in demand, imports will make a causal contribution to the consumption of embryos in the countries to which they are exported; and imports will lead to a reduction in the level of protection for embryos in Germany too. |
Considering that the National Ethics Council is still to express an opinion on the issues of principle raised by stem cell research, and in view of the imminent decisions on the import of embryonic stem cells, fifteen of the Council's members, including nine who have also espoused Option A, favour the import of embryonic stem cells for a limited period and subject to strict conditions (Option B). Ten members consider that stem cell imports should be provisionally banned (Option C); these include four members who also advocate Option D.
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