From Warnock to the stem cell bank — Evaluating the UK's regulatory measures for stem cell research

Twine, R. (2005) From Warnock to the stem cell bank — Evaluating the UK's regulatory measures for stem cell research. Journal of International Biotechnology Law, 2(1), pp. 1-14. (doi: 10.1515/jibl.2005.2.1.1)

Abstract

The United Kingdom government regards its regulations for stem cell research as some of the most rigorous in the world. This paper chronologically outlines the important stages in the evolution of these regulatory measures over the past twenty years, including the Warnock Report, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, the subsequent series of reports and consultations, and the establishment of the UK stem cell bank. Attending both to the discursive framing of stem cell research and the ethical issues faced, an assessment is made in terms of the appropriateness, adequacy and effectiveness of the UK's regulatory measures. Although institutional learning is detected in areas such as improving public engagement, the UK regulatory process has been open to the accusation of a scientific community regulating itself. This paper recommends that in order to avoid any possible complacency further improvements in public inclusiveness and interdisciplinary representation on regulatory committees should be sought.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The final publication is available at www.degruyter.com
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Twine, Dr Richard
• Authors: Twine, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of International Biotechnology Law
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• ISSN: 1612-6068
• ISSN (Online): 1612-6076
• Published Online: 27 July 2005
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2005 Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• First Published: First published in Journal of International Biotechnology Law 2(1):1-14
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher