Research on the embryo is prohibited in France as a matter of principle. However, for a period of five years, the bioethics Law of August 6th 2004 has set up a special dispensation, allowing research for therapeutic ends in highly controlled conditions. Once they have received official authorisation, researchers can work on supernumary embryos conceived as part of an in vitro fertilisation programme and donated to research by their parents. This research is strictly supervised by the Agence de la biomédecine, which ensures that each stage of the research conforms to legal and ethical regulations. Contravention of the conditions laid down in the authorisation may lead to the suspension or withdrawal of that authorisation.

At the end of this five-year experimental period, the Agence de la biomédecine and the parliamentary office responsible for evaluating scientific and technological choices will each evaluate the research carried out. These reports will serve as the basis of a re-examination of the dispositions of the Bioethics Law by the French Parliament.

Embryonic stem cells are obtained from human embryos at the very first stages of development. Their capacity to give rise to all types of human cells is a source of hope for biological understanding and the medical treatment of a number of conditions.

This research should, for example, increase our understanding of human development and of the biological mechanisms characterising these cells. It should also open up new therapeutic pathways (such as regenerative medicine, for example).

- To authorise dispensations, allowing research teams to study human embryos and embryonic stem cells
- To provide legal and ethical supervision for this research work
- To evaluate this research and, at the end of the five-