Government Approves Frozen Embryo Research for First Time

For the first time, the government has approved a study to create human embryonic stem cells using frozen embryos.

On July 31, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said that it made a final decision to approve the “bio-organ development technology” applied by the Maria Biotechnology Institute, following a deliberation of its advisory committee.

It’s the first time that the government has allowed frozen embryo research since the Life Ethics and Safety Act (Life Ethics Law) stipulating the scope of embryonic research was established in January.

Under the Life Ethics Law, when scientists use an embryo for research purposes, they have to receive consent from an advisory committee comprised of officials from the scientific world, ethics circle, and the government, in advance.

The Maria Biotechnology Institute, which has been allowed access to the research, will first make frozen embryos into human embryonic stem cells, and then conduct research for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injuries using the human embryonic stem cells.

Sang-Hoon Kim corekim@donga.com