Transparency in controversial research: A review of human embryo research publication ethical disclosure statements

Akshaya Venkatesh; Ana S Iltis; Kirstin R W Matthews

doi:10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.11.006

Transparency in controversial research: A review of human embryo research publication ethical disclosure statements

Stem Cell Reports. 2024 Jan 9;19(1):28-36. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.11.006. Epub 2023 Dec 21.

Authors

Akshaya Venkatesh¹, Ana S Iltis², Kirstin R W Matthews³

Affiliations

¹ Baker Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
² Baker Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Philosophy and Center for Bioethics, Health and Society, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA.
³ Baker Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA. Electronic address: krwm@rice.edu.

Abstract

In 2021, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) released updated guidelines that included human embryo research guidance. Requiring ethics statements in publications using human embryos is one way to verify adherence to these guidelines. A review of top-tier biomedical journal requirements identified only one publisher that requires a human embryo statement. A review of articles using human embryos from top-tier biomedical journals found that all contain some form of ethics statement, but they differ in content and location. Requiring ethics statements with specific elements could improve transparency and adherence to research guidelines.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomedical Research*
Disclosure
Embryo Research*
Humans
Stem Cell Research