International trends in bioethics for embryonic stem cell research.

ABSTRACT

Embryonic stem cell (ESC) has been recognized as one of the most promising therapeutic tools for the next decade. However, there are many controversial issues in bioethics for this challenging research area. Each country has its own distinct regulations and policies for ESC research due to their differences in cultural background, religious belief and political influence. These differences will eventually play an important role on international ESC research collaboration. The present article will provide a concise summary of the different policies and regulations regarding bioethical points for ESC research worldwide and show current progress towards establishing standard bioethical guidelines for ESC research on the international level.