Genetic Modification of Preimplantation Embryos: Toward Adequate Human Research Policies

• Published in: The Milbank quarterly Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 195 - 214
• Main Author: DRESSER, REBECCA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 350 Main Street , Malden , MA 02148 , USA , and 108 Cowley Road , Oxford OX4 1JF , UK Blackwell Publishing, Inc 01.01.2004; Blackwell Publishers; Blackwell; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Bioethics; Biotechnology; Blastocyst; Children; Dressers; Embryo Transfer; Embryos; Ethical aspects; Ethics; Ethics and moral life; Experimentation on humans; Federal policies; Fetus; Foetus; Genetic Engineering; Genetic Engineering - ethics; Genetic Engineering - standards; Genetic Engineering - trends; Genetic research; Genetics; Genetics, Medical - legislation & jurisprudence; Germ cells; Government regulation; Human race; Humans; Medical ethics; Medical genetics; Medical Research; Modification; Offspring; Original; Policy making; Policy research; Policy studies; Public policy; Research - standards; Research policy; Research Subjects; Science Policy; Social policy; Sociology; Sociology of knowledge and ethics; Sociology of knowledge and sociology of culture; Somatic cells; U.S.A; United States; United States of America; USA; United States Of America; United States; Ethics; Modification; Public Health; Genetic Manipulation; Research program; Legislation; Genetics; Human Being Experimentation; Regulation; Federal administration; Human Being; Science Policy; Legal Approach; Genetics and Reproduction; Biomedical and Behavioral Research
• ISSN: 0887-378X; 1468-0009
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0887-378X.2004.00306.x

Citing advances in transgenic animal research and setbacks in human trials of somatic cell genetic interventions, some scientists and others want to begin planning for research involving the genetic modification of human embryos. Because this form of genetic modification could affect later-born children and their offspring, the protection of human subjects should be a priority in decisions about whether to proceed with such research. Yet because of gaps in existing federal policies, embryo modification proposals might not receive adequate scientific and ethical scrutiny. This article describes current policy shortcomings and recommends policy actions designed to ensure that the investigational genetic modification of embryos meets accepted standards for research on human subjects.