The second ESTOOLS ethics workshop took place over two days, October 2-3, 2008 in Lund, Sweden.  The theme of this international and interdisciplinary workshop was "Ethical aspects of research on interspecies embryos and IPS cells".  

Some 60 participants from many different countries listened to presentations and took part in interactive discussions between speakers and participants.  The workshop covered scientific, regulatory and ethical aspects of these new developments in stem cell research, with speakers including Peter Sandoe (Denmark), Kate Millar (UK), John Harris (UK), Marcus Duewell (The Netherlands), Elisabeth Rynning (Sweden), Christian Desaintes (The European Commission), Robin Lovell-Badge (UK), Stephen Minger (UK), Demetrio Neri (Italy) and Giuseppe Testa (Italy).  

Issues discussed included the need for detailed characterization of induced pluripotent (iPS) cells in comparison to embryonic stem (ES) cells, as well as the need to explore other methods of reprogramming iPS cells than those so far described in the literature, and to try these methods on other types of cells than fibroblasts, and on other species than mice.  It will also be necessary to explore the problems of intellectual property rights concerning products and methods derived from research on iPS cells.

It was stressed that the main reason for interspecies embryo research is the shortage of human oocytes and that the admixed embryos would only be used for research purposes and would not be used to create new beings.  The discussions focussed on what we know so far about the scientific state of the art, the scientific and policy options available, and what remains to find out in research on iPS cells and on interspecies embryo research.

The relevant ethical issues raised by the research discussed at the workshop include the moral status of the admixed embryos, as well as issues in research ethics and in animal ethics.  The ethical problems discussed ranged from "hype" in describing the state of the art and promising too much too early, to the goals of the various kinds of research described and the values underpinning and these goals and to ways of dealing with the obstacles (lack of knowledge, lack of money, hostile attitudes, regulatory hurdles, varying regulations in different countries, etc.).

Among the take-home messages that scientists, legal scholars and ethicists from different countries agreed was that there is a need to keep as many research options open as possible.  While induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells offer important opportunities, it would be premature to conclude that research on human embryonic stem (ES) cells should no longer be funded.  Comparative work with both ES and iPS cells is essential for future progress in this field.

More detailed documentation from this workshop will be available and posted on www.estools.eu later. 
Facing the questions (left to right): Nils-Eric Sahlin, Outi Hovatta, Stephen Minger, Austin Smith, Peter Andrews, Robin Lovell-Badge