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An overview on ethical considerations in stem cell research in Iran and ethical recommendations: A review
Farajkhoda, Tahmineh
Abstract
Conducting research on the stem cell lines might bring some worthy good to public.
Human Stem Cells (hSCs) research has provided opportunities for scientific
progresses and new therapies, but some complex ethical matters should be noticed to
ensure that stem cell research is carried out in an ethically appropriate manner. The
aim of this review article is to discuss the importance of stem cell research, code of
ethics for stem cell research in Iran and ethical recommendation. Generation of stem
cells for research from human embryo or adult stem cells, saving, maintenance and
using of them are the main ethical, legal and jurisprudence concerns in Iran.
Concerns regarding human reproduction or human cloning, breach of human
dignity, genetic manipulation and probability of tumorogenisity are observed in
adult/somatic stem cells. Destruction of embryo to generate stem cell is an important
matter in Iran. In this regards, obtaining stem cell from donated frozen embryos
through infertility treatment that would be discarded is an acceptable solution in Iran
for generation of embryo for research. Ethical, legal, and jurisprudence strategies for
using adult/somatic stem cells are determination of ownership of stem cells, trade
prohibition of human body, supervision on bio banks and information of Oversight
Committee on Stem Cell Research. Recommendations to handle ethical issues for
conducting stem cell research are well-designed studies, compliance codes of ethics
in biomedical research (specifically codes of ethics on stem cell research, codes of
ethics on clinical trials studies and codes of ethics on animals studies), appropriate
collaboration with ethics committees and respecting of rights of participants
(including both of human and animal rights) in research. In addition, there is a
necessity for extending global networks of bioethics for strengthening
communications within organizations at both the regional and international level,
strengthening legislation systems, designing and establishing convenient
collaborative educational courses at different levels.
Keywords
Cell therapy; Embryo; Ethics; Stem cells; Recommendation; Iran
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