11freedom, dignity and identity, and human reproductive autonomy. However, human
cloning is currently banned globally (United Nations Declaration on Human
Cloning 2005 ). If researchers plan to use SCNT, they should clearly distinguish
between therapeutic and reproductive cloning when defi ning their research goals.
Reproductive cloning currently has no therapeutic purpose.
Therapeutic cloning on the other hand promises the in vitro development of
replacement cells and tissue for purposes of clinical treatment. Some of the greatest
concerns involving therapeutic cloning are that researchers may attempt to circum-
vent the current global prohibition to clone human beings or the uncertainty whether
or not a suffi cient therapeutic effect will be realized through therapeutic cloning
(Sui 2013 ).
1.2.2.3 Informed Consent in the Context of Embryos or Fetal Tissue
Informed consent is the foundation of all scientifi c research and protects donors of
embryos or fetal tissue. As discussed in section “ Cadaveric Fetal Tissue ,” issues of
consent for abortion and the use of the donated fetal tissue for research purposes
may be separated, but specifi c consent is still necessary when an immortal cell line
is to be produced. In this regard the HFEA’s Code of Practice for IVF clinics states
in addition that when informed consent is sought for the use of embryos in stem cell
research, donors must be appropriately informed, which includes being informed
that they may withdraw their consent and that stem cell lines may continue indefi -
nitely and be used in different research projects (Human Fertilization and
Embryology Authority 2003 ). These guidelines recommend that IVF clinics obtain
consent from donors regarding their wishes with regard to the fate of their surplus
embryos. Criticism of this recommendation is that couples may not be in the best
position to carefully assess the implications of donating their embryos due to physi-
cal and psychological stress brought about by the infertility treatment process itself
and may feel pressurized to donate their embryos or feel overwhelmed by the
informed consent process (Throsby 2002 ). In contrast, the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine recommends that consent for embryo donation should only
be sought once IVF treatment has ceased for whatever reason (Ethics Committee of
the American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2002 ).
In an effort to standardize informed consent by creating a core set of information
sheets and consent forms on stem cell research, the UK Stem Cell Coordinators
have formed a national group, the human Embryonic Stem Cell Coordinators
Organization (hESCCO), to inform and assist with obtaining formal informed con-
sent (Franklin and Cornwell 2005 ).
Considering the traceability of immortal stem cell lines, the privacy and confi -
dentiality of donor information and the reporting of incidental fi ndings to the donor
during research activities are complex issues that should also be addressed during
the informed consent process (Aalto-Setälä et al. 2009 ).
1 Stem Cell Therapy: Accepted Therapies, Managing the Hope of Society...