New Belgian Law on Research on Human Embryos: Trust in Progress Through Medical Science

The new Belgian law on research on embryos in vitro accepts all types of research directed at therapeutic purposes and at increased medical knowledge. This includes research for germline and somatic gene therapy, therapeutic cloning, and the development of embryonic stem cell lines. As this presupposes the creation of embryos for research, this too is allowed. Other goals like sex selection for nonmedical reasons, eugenic practices and reproductive cloning are prohibited. In general, the law expresses a belief in the importance of freedom of research and the acceptance of ethical pluralism in society.