O-096 The ethics of stem cell-based embryo-like structures: a focus group study on the attitudes of Dutch professionals and lay citizens

AbstractStudy questionWhat are main themes guiding the attitudes of Dutch professionals and lay citizens with regard to the creation and research use of embryo-like structures?Summary answerThe attitudes of Dutch citizens indicate feelings of trust and distrust, distinct ‘embryo’ conceptualizations, competing moral values and beliefs, and criteria for adequate regulatory safeguards.What is known alreadyResearchers are hopeful that the creation and research use of so-called embryo-like structures (ELS), i.e., stem cell-based models that can mimic (parts of) early (human) embryogenesis, may provide a morally less controversial way of studying the period during which most human etiologies rise while also reducing and replacing the use of animals and/or human embryos in research. Scholars in the humanities and social sciences underline that public engagement and support will be essential in harvesting this presumed moral advantage. Studies on the public endorsement of and attitudes towards synthetic embryology remain nevertheless significantly scarce.Study design, size, durationFor this qualitative study with a cross-sectional design, data were collected through four semi-structured focus group discussions (N  = 33) between August and September 2020.Participants/materials, setting, methodsThe focus group interviews consisted of one pilot interview (n  = 5), two interviews with lay citizens (n = 21), and one interview with professionals (n = 7). The pilot parti...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research