LML’s Professor Kathy Liddell is actively involved in the Governance of Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models (G-SCBEM) Working Group, a pioneering project initiated by the University of Cambridge. This ground-breaking initiative aims to develop the first governance framework for research involving stem cell-based human embryo models in the UK.
Led by Cambridge Reproduction, the G-SCBEM projectbrings together a multidisciplinary team comprising scientists, legal scholars, bioethics experts, and representatives from major funders and regulators in the field of stem cell research. Stem cell-based embryo models (SCBEMs) are three-dimensional structures that emulate certain aspects of embryo development. These models hold immense potential to shed light on critical stages of early development, typically inaccessible to researchers. Moreover, they offer the possibility of understanding the complexities underlying early pregnancies, miscarriages, and birth defects, which could revolutionize treatments for recurrent miscarriage and enhance the success rates of fertility treatments, including IVF.
SCBEMs differ from human embryos and thus probably fall outside the definition of ‘human embryos’, and the attached legal framework, in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. Currently SCBEMs lack the potential to develop into a viable fetus. But research is advancing, and the absence of a dedicated regulatory framework for SCBEM research hinders progress and risks undermining public confidence. The G-SCBEM project aims to address this challenge by producing a comprehensive recommended governance framework. Through extensive consultation with stakeholders, including the general public, the project seeks to foster responsible and transparent research practices in this emerging field.
Professor Kathy Niakan, Chair of Cambridge Reproduction, said the self-governance framework will instil confidence in researchers and maintain public trust in this vital area of research. Professor Roger Sturmey, Chair of the G-SCBEM Guidelines Working Group, stressed the importance of high standards and public confidence in the field of SCBEM research. Sandy Starr, Deputy Director of the Progress Educational Trust (PET) and a member of the G-SCBEM Oversight Group, highlighted the profound impact of SCBEMs on infertility, genetic conditions, and human development.
Funded by grants from the BBSRC Impact Acceleration Account and the University of Cambridge Impact and Knowledge Exchange fund, the G-SCBEM guidance is set to be launched in late autumn, with regular reviews to keep pace with scientific advancements.
Professor Kathy Liddell is chairing a sub-committee of the G-SCBEM Working Group. She commended the multidisciplinary input, and said that a clear view of legal options and ethical reasoning is crucial for good SCBEM governance in the UK.