The policies on human embryonic stem cell research used by different countries vary tremendously and change frequently. The policies are determined by the government stand religious stand and political awareness etc.
Here is major categorization
Permissive:
This policy allows various embryonic stem cell derivation techniques including somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also called research or therapeutic cloning.
SCNT is the transfer of a cell nucleus from a somatic or body cell into an egg from which the nucleus has been removed.
United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Iran, Israel, India, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea and South Africa follow a permissive policy.
Flexible
This policy permits fertility clinic donations only, excluding SCNT, and often under certain restrictions. Research is permitted only on remaining embryos no longer needed for reproduction.
Examples are Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Taiwan
Somewhat restrictive
research permitted on imported embryonic stem cell lines only or on a limited number of previously established stem cell lines.
Germany, Italy, United States
Very restrictive
This generally means a banned research.
Austria, Ireland, Norway, Poland follow this.
To know more about it visit http://www.isscr.org/public/regions/index.cfm
About Arun Pal Singh