Abstract

Abstract Ethical concerns have been associated with stem cell research. The aim of this review article is to determine the ethical concerns and recommendation in stem cell research. Some ethical issues should be considered in stem cell research including study design, justice related matters, reproductive materials donation through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) programs, obtaining informed consent from participants in research, balance between benefits and risks, respecting participants’ right of privacy and confidentiality, products commercialization probability and patenting. Appropriate management of these studies can help the researchers to achieve valid and acceptable scientific findings. Recommendations to handle aforementioned ethical issues for conducting stem cell research are conducting well-designed studies from the earliest stage of the study to publish and treatment phases, use of good animals’ models, compliance national codes of ethics in biomedical research for both of research on human and animal, appropriate supervision of ethics committees, respecting of human dignity and rights in research, stem cells tourism management and extending global networks of bioethics for strengthening communications within organizations at both of the regional and international level. This review article has provided a holistic and comprehensive approach regarding ethical concerns and recommendations for stem cell researchers and research institutes in Iran and other countries.