ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how the United Kingdom reached its present regulatory position, and what it implies about the status of the embryo. In the UK somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) for research, and potentially in the future therapeutic purposes, is legally permitted if it falls within the purposes specified in Schedule 3 of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act 1990 as amended in the HFE. The main expression of the notion of respect for the embryo in UK regulation is the simple fact of the existence of a restrictive regulatory scheme. The UK probably has the world's most exacting licensing, inspection and audit regime for IVF clinics and researchers using embryos in their research. And within the scheme embryos enjoy a high level of protection. However, the dominant analogical approach to analyzing new issues will probably in the long run give rise to a development towards a more and more liberal regulatory regime with regard to both treatment and research.
