Facts of Life

Welcome to the new facts of life

This project has been created to spark conversation about one of the most significant scientific discoveries in recent decades: stem cell-based embryo models.

Researchers now have the chance to look inside the ‘black box’ of human development and better understand us…

But it’s a rapidly-moving field of science, with big social and ethical questions. Scientists and lawyers are discussing how best to regulate it.

This is where you, the public, come in. We want to know what you think. How should this science be regulated, and by who? What excites, concerns or inspires you about this research? What future do you want to see?

This project is a collaboration between LSE and The Liminal Space.

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the foremost social science universities in the world. This project is led by Professor Emily Jackson from LSE Law School, who researches medical law and ethics, with particular interest in reproductive issues and regulation.

The Liminal Space is a creative agency that brings complex topics to life in surprising and engaging ways to transform what people think, feel and do.

The project has received expert advice from Dr Naomi Moris and Professor Robin Lovell-Badge from the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology underlying human health.

To build the conversation we created a fictional product from the future called Cell Yourself and sent it out to social media influencers and journalists.

Looking like the latest home health test kit, Cell Yourself invites recipients to imagine a future in which a range of outcomes for fertility, pregnancy care, preventative medicine and healthy ageing are looking increasingly plausible.

Interwoven in the product experience is information about the science as well as ethical questions for consideration. The kits help to bring a wider audience to the content on this site so that more voices are included in this important discussion.

Want to discover more?

Interested in the science as it develops?

Keep up to date with the work happening at The Francis Crick Institute

Interested in what happens next for the ethical debate?

Follow The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) who will soon publish a review on the ethical and regulatory issues raised by this research

Interested in what happens next for regulation?

Follow Cambridge Reproduction who are developing the first governance framework for research using stem cell-based embryo models

Think you know the facts of life?
Think again...

Scientists need your help to guide the future of stem cell research - to discover what matters most to you, and where you think the boundaries should lie.

Are you ready?

Let's go