유럽연합(EU)의 줄기세포연구 정책*

EU policy on the research of the human embryo and stem cell is based on the 1997 Convention - Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine : Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. The purpose of this convention is to protect the dignity and identity of all human beings without discrimination, respect for their integrity and other rights and fundamental freedoms with regard to the application of biology and medicine. Applying this convention's view to the human embryo and stem cell research, 1) the human embryo research can only be permitted only if it protect the embryo for the purpose of the health and medicine. 2) Making human embryo is prohibited by any method-IVF or SCNT technique. 3) Other stem cell resources(adult stem cell, cord blood stem cell, etc) can be used under the condition of full informed consent without any financial interest of the donor. 4) In all cases, the privacy and human right as well as health of all related persons should be guaranteed.

As a result, the research on the human embryo and stem cell has not been done actively except in few country. But now most member states permit stem cell research using spare embryo, but prohibit therapeutic cloning by SCNT. However EU itself has failed to agree with to fund the scientific research on stem cell using spare embryo. It is hardly to say the decision on stem cell research in the future by EU, but EU will continue to stress on the basic human right, social justice and human freedom in the field of biotechnology and its applications.