ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses some of the arguments in favour of permitting country A, that prohibits embryo research by law, to use the results of embryo research undertaken in country B, that legally accepts embryo research, and the counter arguments opposing such use. The arguments considered include pragmatism versus consistency, non-complicity versus complicity, individual citizen versus democracy, best option versus safety, and reciprocity versus unfairness. Given the diverse nature of laws across Europe on embryo research, the chapter focuses on the ethical debate about the extent to which those countries that prohibit embryo research should benefit from the results of that research carried out elsewhere. This is a very real problem that will pose itself more often in the future in the European Union. One can think of the development of new techniques for improving infertility treatment, such as intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and research using embryonic stem cells for the development of tissue for transplantation.