O-218 A quantitative investigation into UK public attitudes towards embryo research and the 14-day rule
Authors: Norcross S 
Published: June 2023

Study question

Is there UK public acceptance for increased embryo research and the extension of the 14-day rule?

Summary answer

Respondents broadly supported the use of human embryos in research but believed the 14-day-rule remains ‘about right’. However, this might be extended under certain circumstances.

What is known already

UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990 as amended) may be reviewed in the near future. The Act currently allows licensed research on embryos up to the equivalent of the 14th day of development. The former PET Patron, the late Baroness Mary Warnock, was largely responsible for establishing the 14-day rule in UK law. The rule was subsequently adopted by many countries and institutions around the world. Baroness Warnock’s work on this issue gave confidence to scientists and the wider public alike.

Study design, size, duration

This is a quantitative piece of research commissioned by PET. The field work was carried out by Ipsos who interviewed a sample of 2,233 adults aged 16-75 in UK using its online i:omnibus. The responses were gathered between 24 and 27 March 2022. The data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions for age, working status and social grade within gender and Government office region.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The principal material used was an online questionnaire developed by PET and its advisers with the input of Ipsos survey research experts. All research was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international quality standard for market research, ISO 20252, and in accordance with the Ipsos Terms and Conditions. All percentage calculations are rounded up to the nearest whole number. Where percentages do not add up to 100%, this is due to rounding.

Main results and the role of chance

=Only 11% of respondents could give a scientifically correct definition of a human embryo.

=More than 40% of those surveyed said they supported the use of human embryos in scientific and medical research.

=44% supported the government funding of such research with 17% being opposed.

=Asked whether the 14-day limit is too long, too short or about right, more than half of those who supported (or neither opposed nor supported) the use of laboratory-created human embryos in research responded that the limit was about right.

=Those not implacably opposed to embryo research were willing to countenance an extension to the ‘14- day rule’, if reasons were presented to them.

=This demonstrates the importance of scientists giving a clear explanation of the benefits that such an extension to the 14-day rule may bring.

=The most supported reasons for an extension were to find new treatments for congenital diseases, improving medical understanding of stillbirth and miscarriage.

=However, with significant numbers remaining neutral or answering, ‘Don’t know’, this situation could change. Public education is vital to help people engage.

=The sample size of 2233 people allowed for statistically significant differences to be identified and reduced the risk of misleading answers.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This research is a snapshot in time and public opinion can evolve with new information. A significant number of respondents gave a ‘don’t know’ answers. If these members of the public were to shift their view to either ‘support or opposition’ then the landscape for embryo research could markedly alter.

Wider implications of the findings

The study suggests there is limited public understanding of this subject, as illustrated by only 11% of respondents selected the scientifically correct definition of an embryo. This gap in knowledge makes it challenging to have a meaningful national debate on the potential changes to the current law.

Trial registration number

Trial registration number is not applicable. PET are grateful for the generous support of Ferring without which it would not have been possible to conduct this piece of wide-ranging, nationally representative research.