Creating and sacrificing embryos for stem cells

Devolder, Katrien

doi:10.1136/jme.2004.008599

Cited by 44 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…This is significant especially for ethical reasons, since this technology could reduce our current reliance on the use of animals in medical research, compared to other stem cell sources. Devolder [4] is of the opinion that most of the people involved in these stem cell debate, especially those involved in policy-making, opt for a conciliatory position as they usually do not want to fully prohibit hESC research, while also attempting to articulate at least some grounds for the restraints of the instrumentalization and derivation of embryonic stem cells to protect human embryos. This paper analyses and discusses the South African position in an attempt to provide a context for the progression of hESC research and therapy while also protecting the human embryo.…”

Section: A Critique On the Application Of The Principle Of Subsidiarimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Devolder [4] held that an embryo (I will not be using the term pre-embryo unless to explicitly distinguish between pre-embryo and embryo as described earlier) has intrinsic values (values in themselves). Based on this, many people accept that it merits the embryo with some special respect and that due to its symbolic value it must be protected.…”

Section: Western Moral Philosophymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Intrinsic values include the notion that an embryo can develop into a human being (i.e., potentiality) and that it possesses inherent human dignity. Symbolic value includes the impact it has on certain practices in our respect for human life [4] or expressions of societal views that regard embryos as the initial form of human life [5]. Devolder and Harris [7] stated that, the idea of potentiality is central in the ethics of using embryos for research and therapy.…”

Section: Western Moral Philosophymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Critique on the Application of the Principle of Subsidiarity Concerning Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in South Africa

Mnisi¹

2016

JPP

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Abstract:Researchers from all around the world emphasize on the enormous possible benefits that stem cells may have for the treatment of diseases. However, this technology is considered morally problematic when the source of the stem cell is from a human embryo. Nonetheless, there is a consensus that of all the types of stem cells, hESC (human embryonic stem cells) are the most promising for particular and important research and therapies. Yet, there are controversial issues regarding the "killing" of the human embryo for stem cell derivation. There are two general ethical conditions that should govern the instrumental use of embryo. One of them, the principle of subsidiarity, which is defined as "a state we have that we have to choose the less contentious means of achieving the intended goal". Based on this principle, we ought only to use hESC when there are no other alternatives, which are less morally controversially. Subsidiarity is based on the assumption that there is something ethically unsound about the use of hESC. However, this principle only makes sense if it is based on consistently upheld views of the moral status of embryo, moreover, the law should also not limit or prohibit hESC research based on this principle. In this paper, I argue-using the South African law for hESC technology-that criterion for deciding which type of stem cells to use should be based on their potential and suitability for advancing scientific knowledge and development of new therapies which will be greatly beneficial in alleviating human suffering.

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Section: A Critique On the Application Of The Principle Of Subsidiarimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Western Moral Philosophymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Western Moral Philosophymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Critique on the Application of the Principle of Subsidiarity Concerning Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in South Africa

Mnisi¹

2016

JPP

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“…First, there are ethical concerns inherent in the use and disposal of human embryos (3). this has caused heated debate and regulation over the use of these cells.…”

Section: Stem Cells and Diabetesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Induced pluripotent stem cell technology and stem cell therapy for diabetes

Drummond

Kunath

Mee

et al. 2010

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

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“…22 Once one accepts the creation and killing of embryos to benefit infertile people with a child-wish, it seems questionable to argue that the creation and killing of embryos for research (which eventually may benefit ill people) is condemnable. 23,24 Clinical route Another way of obtaining more evidence for embryo representativity could be at the beginning of a clinical application of IVF/PGD. Two approaches are conceivable.…”

Section: Feasibility and Representativitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for mitochondrial DNA disorders: ethical guidance for clinical practice

et al. 2009

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Although morally acceptable in theory, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorders raises several ethical questions in clinical practice. This paper discusses the major conditions for good clinical practice. Our starting point is that PGD for mtDNA mutations should as far as possible be embedded in a scientific research protocol. For every clinical application of PGD for mtDNA disorders, it is not only important to avoid a 'high risk of serious harm' to the future child, but also to consider to what extent it would be possible, desirable and proportional to try to reduce the health risks and minimize harm. The first issue we discuss is oocyte sampling, which may point out whether PGD is feasible for a specific couple. The second issue is whether one blastomere represents the genetic composition of the embryo as a whole -and how this could (or should) be investigated. The third issue regards the cutoff points below which embryos are considered to be eligible for transfer. We scrutinize how to determine these cutoff points and how to use these cutoff points in clinical practice -for example, when parents ask to take more or less risks. The fourth issue regards the number of cycles that can (or should) justifiably be carried out to find the best possible embryo. Fifth, we discuss whether follow-up studies should be conducted, particularly the genetic testing of children born after IVF/PGD. Finally, we offer the main information that is required to obtain a truly informed consent.

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Creating and sacrificing embryos for stem cells

Cited by 44 publications

References 9 publications

A Critique on the Application of the Principle of Subsidiarity Concerning Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in South Africa

A Critique on the Application of the Principle of Subsidiarity Concerning Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in South Africa

Induced pluripotent stem cell technology and stem cell therapy for diabetes

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for mitochondrial DNA disorders: ethical guidance for clinical practice

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