Government to Limit Human Embryo Research

To clone human and human embryo is strictly banned in Korea. In addition, research of human embryo is to be allowed under only limited circumstance such as infertility treatment purpose.

The Life Ethics Advisory Committee (chair Kyo-Hoon Jin, a professor at Seoul National University), a subsidiary division in Ministry of Science and Technology has announced on 18th a draft called Life Ethics Organic Law (a tentative name) that contains substances mentioned above.

According to the draft, it is prohibited to artificially produce human embryos, except for the purpose of infertility treatment, and research of human embryo produced as a result of infertility treatment is forbidden as well. However, the only alternative the draft allows for is limited research on extra frozen embryos which will be disused.

The research on frozen embryos can be only allowed after passing through the related agencies’ examination and the National Life Ethics Committee’s special subcommittee for human embryo management which will be directly under the president who will supervise the frozen embryo research.

An embryo is living entity of less than two months old early stage that is made by fertilization of a sperm and an ovum. A stem cell that can be gained from an embryo has been an important research subject because it can be grown as a cell for all organs of the body.

Sang-Ik Whang (a professor at Seoul National University Medical School), the director in a subcommittee for the draft, said, ``Although a human embryo does not have a legal status, it is still a living entity that deserves to be esteemed.`` ``It is allowed to research on embryos but, after all, it will be limited to research only on an adult’s stem cell.`` he added.

The draft made it clear that personal genetic information cannot influence on employment or insurance policy and the examination for a fetus is limited to hereditary diseases for which the law acknowledges. The draft also prohibits the copulation between a human being and an animal.

After reviewing the draft, some scientists are concerned. Woo-Suk Whang, a Seoul National University professor, who was successful in cloning a human embryo by using the somatic cell nuclear transfer method said, ``The level of Korea’s research on making cells for damaged organs from a human embryo’s stem cell is already in the world class level. Yet, if the draft is passed as it is, we must stop all research projects.``

In addition, the draft says that the National Life Ethics Committee is to review and decide the life science related patent rights, which seems to cause tensions between divisions in the government.

It is scheduled that the draft will be discussed at a forum which will be held at Sejong Center for Performing Arts on 22th and will be introduced in the National Assembly’s regular session this fall.

Lee Young-Wan puset@donga.com