Ethical regulation and the new reproductive technologies in Sri Lanka: perspectives of ethics committee members

OBJECTIVE: To report on part of a pilot study done to explore ethical responses to the new reproductive technologies in Sri Lanka. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews carried out with the members of three committees responsible for ethical review of medical research. Members were asked for their views on the ethical, social and legal implications of the new reproductive and genetic technologies. Members' responses were subject to a simple content analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There was broad acceptance of the new technologies among respondents, but anxieties about potential abuses. Respondents felt that a national committee should regulate practice and monitor future policy.