The Regulation of Embryo and Embryonic Stem Cell Research in the UK:The Inspiration to Taiwan from the Regulatory Experiences of the UK

• Main Authors: Ping-Hsiao Hsieh, 謝秉孝
• Other Authors: In-Chin Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/60776155218908373583

碩士 === 國立中央大學 === 法律與政府研究所 === 99 === United Kingdom (UK) is regarded as the top country in the field of studying the embryo and embryonic stem cell, which is related to its good regulatory policy of embryos and embryonic stem cell research. And we hope that the regulatory experience of UK can inspire Taiwan to improve the regulation of this field. Establishment of UK’s regulation of this field is due to its wise strategy about adopting the advisement of Warnock Committee, it includes the spirit of moral philosophy and utilitarianism and this become the norm of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act. Besides, part of norm from HFE Act is the learning direction of other countries in the world, and this is one of the reasons we think the regulatory experience of UK is deserved to be learned. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in UK is as an independent regulatory agency, mediating the task of the HFE Act. The great achievement in the field of the embryos and embryonic stem cell research is produced by strict permissive procedure of the regulation. And one of the key elements is UK’s scientists volunteer to follow the norm of regulation. Furthermore, centralized regulation can reduce the uncertainty of researching applications, promote the stability of regulation, ensure the legitimacy of study, and increase public confidence. It makes scientists can focus on research in a worry-free environment. In addition, HFEA is responsible for being a key position of regulation, which not only can achieve the mission of the HFE Act but also can cooperate with the UK Stem Cell Bank to make deposit the stem cell line as one of the permissive condition. All of these actions significantly minimum the destroying number of embryos and decrease the controversy of ethics. Although there are two step challenges, including cell nuclear replacement (CNR) and hybrid embryos, after establishing the regulatory system of UK. They adopt moderate alteration, which means modifying the original regulatory system to fit the need of present situation, rather than chooses overthrowing the past regulatory system and effort, owing to the initial regulatory system is regarded as a good model by UK. In contrast, if they adopted revolutionary change, it would easily lead to instability of regulation, indirectly influence the progress of the research in this field, and cause the collapse of the public confidence. It reminds we should be cautious on establishing the regulatory system, which can withstand the challenges of emerging technologies, and moderately modifying it when our regulatory system faces the challenges above to make it continually wins the public confidence and owns the reliance.