Should the 14-day rule for embryo research become the 28-day rule?

Abstract

The “14-day rule”—broadly construed—is used in science policy and regulation to limit research on human embryos to a maximum period of 14 days after their creation or to the equivalent stage of development that is normally attributed to a 14-day-old embryo (Hyun et al,; Nuffield Council on Bioethics,). For several decades, the 14-day rule has been a shining example of how science policy and regulation can be developed with interdisciplinary consensus and applied across a number of countries to help fulfil an ethical and practical purpose: to facilitate efficient and ethical embryo research. However, advances in embryology and biomedical research have led to suggestions that the 14-day rule is no longer adequate (Deglincerti et al,; Shahbazi et al,; Hurlbut et al,). Therefore, should the 14-day rule be extended and, if so, where should we draw a new line for permissible embryo research? Here, we provide scientific, regulatory and ethical arguments that the 14-day rule should be extended to 28 days (or the developmental equivalent stage of a 28-day-old embryo).