Addressing exploitation of women in therapeutic cloning/somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) research through strict legal oversight in Australia

In May 2013, scientists finally generated embryonic stem cells from cloned human embryos through the highly controversial therapeutic cloning/somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) research using donor cells from infants.1 In 2014, scientists at the Research Institute for Stem Cell Research at CHA Health Systems in Los Angeles grew stem cells using SCNT, this time from adults, bringing them closer to developing patient-specific lines of cells.2 In this research, scientists derive human embryonic stem cells compatible with the patient’s DNA, by transferring the nucleus of the patient’s cells into a human egg and developing it into a cloned human embryo from which stem cells are derived. SCNT research is important as researchers endeavour to discover medical treatments for patients who suffer from various types of serious illnesses and conditions. There are debates in many countries, including some Asian nations,3 on the legalisation and the regulation of SCNT research. Various concerns are raised in the discussion, one of them being that an increased demand for donated eggs may arise as a result of legalising this research. It is noted that human eggs are essential elements in SCNT research. This article explores the serious issues surrounding exploitation of women in SCNT research and argues that these concerns can be effectively addressed through a tight legal oversight of the research as evident in the current Australian regulatory framework governing research involving human embryos. This nation’s regulatory regime has developed and evolved since the regulation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in 1984 when the world’s first ART law was passed in the state of Victoria.4 Accordingly, it is argued that the Australian regulatory regime serves as a model for other countries to adopt and this article will explore for policymakers the implications involved.