By Cíntia Águas, J.D., Michel Renaud, Ph.D., Miguel Oliveira da Silva, M.D., Ph.D.

In recent years, stem cell research stepped into the spotlight as having great potential for improving our understanding and eventual treatment of several human diseases and disorders. This became a controversial “hot topic” in bioethics and in modern society. The Portuguese National Council of Ethics for the Life Sciences (CNECV) soon felt the need to engage science, ethics, government and society in broad and earnest discussion on this matter.