The Effect of Stem Cells Research on One`S Right to Life: Ethical and Legal Controversies in the Domestic and the International Arena.

Abstract

Stem cell treatments have been a monumental discovery back in the 1800s. In the year 1968, two siblings were the first to be treated successfully with bone marrow transplant for a immunodeficiency. This influenced many countries globally including Sri-Lanka to perform stem cells research. These cells are extracted from a human embryo (Blastocyst) and then allowing it to grow in a laboratory environment to form healthy cells of any function. But unfortunately this extraction will destroy the Blastocyst. Thus today the concept is tainted with controversies as the Blastocyst itself has the Right to Life and that right is violated. Hence many countries have a tendency to vote against stem cells research while others have solid Acts and strong legal backgrounds to support such. The objectives are to uncover the reasons behind the ethical and legal controversies of Right to Life and to explore into the legal framework of other jurisdictions to understand their laws for stem cells research. This research will be carried out Based on a Doctrinal methodology inclusive of legal propositions and literature such as text books, case laws, online articles and journals. In conclusion this paper proposes the expansion of the legal system of Sri-Lanka and gives recommendations to build up the domestic laws by focusing on the international arena to strengthen the new technological advancements of biomedicine by overcoming the issues of human rights, as it will suit the medical needs of the society.