Ethical aspects of creating human–nonhuman chimeras capable of human gamete production and human pregnancy

Abstract

In this paper I explore some of the moral issues that could emerge from the creation of human–nonhuman chimeras (HNH-chimeras) capable of human gamete production and human pregnancy. First I explore whether there is a cogent argument against the creation of HNH-chimeras that could produce human gametes. I conclude that so far there is none, and that in fact there is at least one good moral reason for producing such types of creatures. Afterwards I explore some of the moral problems that could emerge from the fact that a HNH-chimera could become pregnant with a human conceptus. I focus on two sets of problems: problems that would arise by virtue of the fact that a human is gestated by a nonhuman creature, and problems that would emerge from the fact that such pregnancies could affect the health of the HNH-chimera.

Stem cells and interspecies chimaeras

“…The guidelines urge that the insertion of human stem cells (or tissues) into non-human animals be reviewed by oversight committees. Under the NAS Guidelines, when a committee reviews a protocol "particular attention should be paid to the probable pattern and effects of differentiation and integration of the human cells into the nonhuman animal tissues" The NAS Guidelines also ensure that the animals that have received these human cells or tissues not be allowed to breed for fear that they may produce some human gametes 101 . These guidelines also contain some useful specific prohibitions, such as on placing any ESCs in human blastocysts or hESCs into the blastocysts of non-human primates.…”

Chimeras intended for human gamete production: an ethical alternative?

“…Scientists should accept that there is nothing particularly morally problematic with creating chimeras-IHGP and should start actively looking into this direction. For a previous in depth exploration of the philosophical topics concerning the creation of chimeras-IHGP see Palacios-González (2015b).…”

“…Human gametes could possess two different types of value: inherent value or instrumental value. This means that they could be valuable in themselves or that they could be valuable as a means to achieve others' ends (Palacios-González, 2015b).…”

Ethical Challenges of Germline Genetic Enhancement

“…Moreover, this uncertainty acquires special relevance when the human–animal interaction may affect the brain structure and functionality as well as the gametes (Dolgin, 2016; Levine and Grabel, 2017). The current trends range from the elimination of any restriction due to lack of ethical reasons, to the concern for individual and societal consequences (Palacios-González, 2015; Hyun, 2016; Rodriguez, 2016). We believe that the solution can only be developed departing from a clear conceptualization of their moral status, a term still not agreed upon for embryos and much less for chimeras (Giacomini et al, 2007; De Melo-Martín, 2008; Eberl and Ballard, 2009; Chan, 2015; Munsie et al, 2017; Hübner, 2018).…”