AAP code of ethics for the use of fetuses and fetal material for research.

Research on the fetus and newborn is of the greatest importance in contributing to the health and welfare of the entire population. Such research, motivated by humane concern, should be continued and fostered, subject to adequate and clearly defined safeguards.#{176} The American Academy of Pediatrics recogmzes that through research involving previable fetuses, new knowledge may be gained which would ultimately benefit viable infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recognizes that some of these areas of research, while not jeopardizing the health and welfare of the fetus, are not of direct benefit to that particular fetus. In such cases express consent should be obtained from the parent. “The whole previable fetus has offered an important opportunity that cannot be obtained in any other way for making observalions of great value on the transfer of substances across the human placenta, the reaction of the immature fetus to drugs, and on the endocrinological development of the fetus and the development of the placenta.” Research activities involving the fetus in utero or pregnant women may be undertaken’ for the purpose of benefiting that particular fetus or to respond to the health needs of the mother,2 as part of the procedure to terminate the pregnancy, and for the purpose of evaluating or improving methods of prenatal diagnosis, methods of