Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research - from the Ethical Discussion of the Status of the Embryo to Legal Provisions in EU Member States

The article analyses the reports and opinions of the National Bioethics Commissions of the EU-15 regarding human embryonic stem cell research (hES). It argues that although the overall structure of these reports and opinions is quite homogeneous, dealing with scientific, legal and ethical issues, that the ethical debates focus around two different lines of argument. The German and Italian National Bioethics Commissions discuss the moral and legal status of the embryo only. Whereas the other National Bioethics Commissions go beyond the discussion of the moral and legal status of the embryo and focus on ethical aspects regarding the protection of women undergoing an intervention for the procurement of egg cells. The procurement of egg cells for future parenthood is rated differently than the procurement of egg cells for research. The article furthermore shows how this difference in the ethical debate on human embryonic stem cell research has lead to different legal provisions in the respective Member States of the European Union. Furthermore, the article offers detailed information on the debate in the Austrian Bioethics Commission regarding the respective topic.