The legislation on biotechnology varies markedly from one Nordic country to another. The aim of this report by the Nordic Committee on Bioethics is to give the reader information of the current status in the different countries and at the same time a chance to compare the legal situations. Nine important areas of biotechnology have been chosen for this overview. Facts concerning each of the Nordic countries are represented in a matrix with some key issues from the legislation. Comparative tables on: assisted reproduction preimplantation genetic diagnosis abortion prenatal diagnosis embryo research, stem cell research and cloning clinical research on humans biobanks genetic testing and gene therapy animal experimentation