Workshop 1, led by Professor Taupitz, a legal scholar, and Professor Wiesemann, a medical ethicist, discussed potential regulations and their ethical and legal implications for handling surplus embryos. The key points included procedures (such as a licensing authority and ethics committee) and requirements (such as objectives and high-level standards) for embryo research. The subsequent discussion was led by Professor Winkler.

Thesis paper 1 – original version

The main argument of the position paper, which supports the authorisation of embryo research under strictly regulated conditions, was generally endorsed. The discussion primarily focussed on theses 5-14.

One of the key additions was the call for a change in the legal framework regarding embryo research to be accompanied by a broader social discourse (Thesis 5). The statement that the legislator has significant room for manoeuvre was not contested (Thesis 7). The same applied to the moral and constitutional justifiability of potentially authorising research donation under suitable conditions (Thesis 8). 

Some key conditions for consent were added, but no detailed procedure was developed (Thesis 9).

Regarding the proposal for an authorisation procedure based on comparable (inter)national processes, it was emphasised that any new legal regulation should allow for some adaptability. Various formats were identified and evaluated, with the argument that the framework conditions should always be adaptable or justifiable based on the latest advancements (Thesis 10).

There was consensus that embryo research should only be permitted for pursuing high-level research objectives – where "high-level" requires further clarification (Thesis 6) – and that allowing the creation of new stem cell lines from embryos would be a logical consequence (Thesis 11).

The participants largely agreed on defining research objectives that should be prohibited (Thesis 12).

A key new thesis (13) called for further discussion on time limits for embryo cultivation. For now, the 14-day limit is acceptable and provides a solid basis for meaningful research. The approval of embryo creation for research purposes requires further discussion (Thesis 14). Finally, the importance of clear definitions and precise terminology was emphasised to prevent grey areas.

Thesis paper 1 – revised version