"I Don't Really Agree With That:" Canadians' Perspectives on the 14-Day Rule in Relation to Artificial Womb...

Complete ectogenesis through artificial womb technology (AWT) would enable fertilization, embryonic development, and fetal development outside of the human body. In 2004, Canada's Assisted Human Reproduction Act established a 14-day legal limit on the in vitro cultivation of human embryos, stymying the domestic development of AWT. Given recent scientific advancements, we aimed to explore Canadians' perspectives on the 14-day rule and AWT development.

In September 2020-February 2021, we conducted an online English-French survey and semi-structured in-depth interviews with a subset of respondents to solicit Canadian citizens' perspectives on AWT. We audio-recorded and transcribed the telephone/Zoom/Skype interviews and used ATLAS.ti to manage our data. We analyzed survey data using descriptive statistics and interviews for content and themes using inductive and deductive techniques.

We received 343 completed surveys and conducted 41 interviews. Although overall knowledge of AWT, in general, and the 14-day rule, in particular, was limited, our participants felt that AWT had the potential to improve lives. Participants also perceived the 14-day rule as an outdated limitation on technological progress and a barrier to AWT development. Participants suggested revisiting the legislation and emphasized centering science, technology, and medicine in any update.

In 2021, the International Society for Stem Cell Research released updated guidelines which recommended relaxing the 14-day rule, depending on the research objectives. Given the changing domestic and international landscape, Canadian policymakers should revisit the 14-day rule limit imposed by the Assisted Human Reproduction Act and seek input from Canadians when embarking on this reform process.