Human embryonic stem cell (ESC) research is highly contentious in many societies, as it makes use of human embryos. Due to their varying socio-cultural, religious and political backgrounds, individual countries have different regulatory approaches which play an important role in international human ESC research collaborations. Thus, studying the complexity of regulatory frameworks in different parts of the world highlights differences and similarities between nations, the variety of views on specific issues, and the range of regulatory uncertainties. I will therefore review the ethical, social and legal implications of human ESC research in Iran, which has assumed a leadership role in this area among the Middle Eastern Muslim countries. In this essay, I shall first describe how human ESC research is both shaped and regulated by Islamic law and ethics. I will then discuss the current state of this field and its ethics in Iran. In conclusion, I will argue that, although both science and religion are key factors in the current debate surrounding human ESC research, additional factors influence the manner in which new knowledge is taken up in countries with the same religious background or scientific interests.
