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Primary participants

Professor Emma Cave, Professor of Healthcare Law, led this research in collaboration with working groups, committees and advisory fora.

“The NCOB’s review identifies the points of greatest ethical concern in relation to the potential use of SCBEMs and sets out what policy makers and those who have an influence on this field of research could do now to help address them.” Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health on the importance of the NCOB report chaired by Emma on stem cell-based embryo models.

Good medical practice is the most important document we publish… By focusing on compassionate, fair workplaces where people feel empowered to speak up, we lay a solid foundation for teamwork and ultimately, safer care for patients.” Charlie Massey, CEO of the General Medical Council, on the impact of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice guidance, developed by the advisory forum that Emma chaired.

“Investigations into major failures in the NHS, like the Thirlwall Inquiry into Letby, are vital but it’s equally important to hold the government and leaders of organisations responsible for actually implementing the recommendations that are made to improve patient safety.” Steve Brine MP, Health & Social Care Committee chairman on the impact of the 2024 Health & Social Care Committee’s Independent Expert Panel Report on Patient Safety Emma helped produce.

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Impact at a glance

Emma Cave’s contributions have driven meaningful change in public policy and professional practice across three priority areas:

  • Guiding national discussions on the regulation of stem cell-based embryo models.
  • Modernising professional guidance for healthcare professionals.
  • Helping to hold the government to account on matters of health and social care.

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What was the problem?

As innovations such as stem cell-based embryo models emerge, they often fall outside current laws, creating gaps in oversight. Additionally, professional medical guidelines can be outdated, absent, or insufficient, highlighting the need for ethically robust, accountable frameworks that prioritise patient safety and professional integrity. Emma’s research seeks to address the ethical and regulatory challenges that arise when medical practices and technologies evolve beyond the scope of existing law and professional guidance.

 

News reporting on the issue

  

27 May 2025

Abortion arrest: Recording reveals police concern
BBC News

6 Jan 2025

Regulatory strategy for embryo models set out
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11 December 2024

Research on embryo models needs soft and hard regulation
Research Professional News

18 April 2024

Infected blood scandal: Children were used as 'guinea pigs' in clinical trials
BBC News

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How did these changes come about?

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What has happened since? 

  • In May 2025 Emma presented at the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) roundtable, which set out the council’s recommendations on the regulation on stem cell-based embryo models. The roundtable was attended by regulators and government ministers, who are giving them consideration.
  • Influenced by Emma’s research, significant changes were made in 2024 to the General Medical Council’s professional standards for doctors, Good Medical Practice. Good Medical Practice is the core professional practice guidance by which doctors are educated, guided and held to account.
  • Emma and colleague’s expert evidence which was presented during The Infected Blood Inquiry found that the infected and affected were failed repeatedly. The government response includes a full apology and a promise of redress.

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What next?

  • Emma’s research continues to advocate for the prioritisation of ethics integration in shaping cultural change across the NHS, enhancing accountability mechanisms, supporting staff wellbeing, and reforming outdated regulatory and legal structures.
  • Emma is currently working as part of the Health and Social Care Committee’s Independent Expert Panel to complete an evaluation of Palliative Care in England. Recommendations from the Expert Panel will inform government decision making.
  • Working toward wider reform of the regulation of biotechnologies, Emma is advancing her research on the regulation of stem cell-based embryo models, and contributing to a major review of the 14 day rule governing embryo culture as part of a NCoB working group.

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Videos

Play video 1

Britain's 'Virginity' Clinics Uncovered | ITV Exposure

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Find out more

  • Wikipedia

    Read more about Emma’s research and advocacy work on her Wikipedia page.

     

    Wikipedia Logo
  • Nuffield Council on Bioethics

    Learn about Emma’s collaborative work with the NCOB on Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models.

     

    Nuffield Logo

Wikipedia

Read more about Emma’s research and advocacy work on her Wikipedia page.

 

Wikipedia Logo

Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Learn about Emma’s collaborative work with the NCOB on Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models.

 

Nuffield Logo
  • Health and Social Care Committee

    Learn how Emma’s research helps hold the government to account through her work with the Health and Social Care Committee’s Independent Expert Panel.

    Health and Social Care Committee Logo
  • The British Medical Association

    Find out about the British Medical Association Medical Ethics Committee. The MEC debates ethical issues on the relationship between the medical profession, the public and the state.

    BMA Logo

Health and Social Care Committee

Learn how Emma’s research helps hold the government to account through her work with the Health and Social Care Committee’s Independent Expert Panel.

Health and Social Care Committee Logo

The British Medical Association

Find out about the British Medical Association Medical Ethics Committee. The MEC debates ethical issues on the relationship between the medical profession, the public and the state.

BMA Logo
  • Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

    Read the guidance for healthcare staff that Emma produced as part of a working party with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

    RCOG Logo
  • BBC Sounds

    Listen to Emma’s expert input on the BBC File on 4 Podcast: Abortion on Trial: The Nicola Packer Story. The podcast explores legal and ethical tensions in healthcare reporting.

    BBC Sounds

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Read the guidance for healthcare staff that Emma produced as part of a working party with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

RCOG Logo

BBC Sounds

Listen to Emma’s expert input on the BBC File on 4 Podcast: Abortion on Trial: The Nicola Packer Story. The podcast explores legal and ethical tensions in healthcare reporting.

BBC Sounds