Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Structuring Oversight in International Collaborations.

The article provides an overview of the Chinese guidelines and current U.S. guidelines for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. The direction of China's research program is toward clinical applications of stem cells, such as the use of stem cell therapies for leukemia and myocardial infarction. The "Ethical Guiding Principles for Research on Human Embryonic Stem Cells" and "Ethical Principles and Conduct Norms for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies" prohibit human reproductive cloning and the development of embryos beyond 14 days for research purposes. Meanwhile, hESC in the U.S. has been politically charged and there has been opposition to the use of embryos for research purposes on religious grounds.