Italian ethical committee intervention in a case of embryo-fetal medicine.

Embryo-fetal experimentation is intuitively associated with a therapeutic intent, according to a consolidated line of thought on the international and national levels. We report on a researcher's request for Ethics Committee approval to perform intrauterine transplantation of stem cells via cordocentesis on a fetus diagnosed with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, using stem cells obtained from a sibling's umbilical cord blood. The Ethics Committee rejected the request because of deontological issues and clinical judgments about the potential good to be derived from the procedure. In particular, in this case there was no preclinical or animal research on the procedure, the risk factors for mother and fetus were unknown, there was no way to guarantee compliance with Italian laws regarding safety and quality of the donor cells, and there was lack of clear informed consent.

Ethic, medical and legal reflections about the fetal protection by a pregnant woman suffering, in comorbidity, from HIV infection.

The trend to have children even if one or both parents suffer from chronic diseases is influenced by personal, psycho-organic and social factors. The Authors face the moral and professional dilemma of honouring a woman's intentions, or persuading her to interrupt her pregnancy to prevent damage to her health.