Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41951754›Full record

ReviewNature cell biology2026

Morally relevant features warranting ethical oversight in human stem cell-based embryo models.

Naomi Moris, Alfonso Martinez Arias, Martin Pera, Nicolas Rivron, Karen Sermon, Nienke de Graeff

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nature cell biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Naomi MorisThe Francis Crick Institute, London, UK. naomi.moris@crick.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1910-5454
Alfonso Martinez AriasSystems Bioengineering, DCEXS, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1781-564X
Martin PeraThe Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6239-0428
Nicolas RivronInstitute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1590-5964
Karen SermonResearch Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Nienke de GraeffDepartment of Medical Ethics and Health Law, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0045-4366

Funding

Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung) HU-BLAST 56200EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council) 101002317EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council) MiniEmbryoBllueprint_834580National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) NC/C023102/01Novo Nordisk Fonden (Novo Nordisk Foundation) NNF21CC0073729RCUK | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) BB/Y00311X/1RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) EP/Y009967/1Wellcome Trust CC2186ZonMw (Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development) 10250022120002
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Stem cell-based embryo models provide innovative ways to explore the principles of human development but also pose new challenges for regulation. Recent guidelines have argued for case-by-case evaluation of stem cell-based embryo model research but it is still unclear what exactly such oversight should consider. Here we argue that effective review requires the identification of a set of attributes by which to evaluate research proposals. To define these, the underlying ethical values and morally relevant biological features present in embryo models must be identified to enable the practical implementation of oversight. We propose that developmental stage, tissue/organ integrity, fetal potential and the capacity to form neural circuits should be used together for evaluation purposes. We also highlight the importance of the wider context, including the proposed uses of embryo models, public perception and individual researcher responsibilities, and thus provide a general framework for regulatory consideration of human embryo model research.

Indexed as

Embryo ResearchHuman Embryonic Stem CellsModels, BiologicalMoralsStem Cell ResearchAnimalsHumans

Identifiers

PMID41951754
PMCPMC7619075

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.