Activist researchers are calling for much easier access to human embryos in order to pursue controversial experiments. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is proposing a change in the law that would only require “broader generic consent” from IVF patients for their embryos to be experimented on by scientists. One or more fertilised eggs, or embryos, are selected to be implanted in the woman’s womb to develop. According to figures obtained by The Guardian, the number of IVF created human embryos given up for scientific research fell from 17,925 in 2004 to 675 in 2019. Responding to the consultation, The Christian Institute said experimenting on human embryos “is wrong and should not be done at all”, but acknowledged the current limitations are “an important backstop against abuse”.

Source: The Guardian January 08, 2024 16:07 UTC