Human dignity and the creation of human–nonhuman chimeras

Abstract

In this work I present a detailed critique of the dignity-related arguments that have been advanced against the creation of human–nonhuman chimeras that could possess human-like mental capacities. My main claim is that the arguments so far advanced are incapable of grounding a principled objection against the creation of such creatures. I conclude that these arguments have one, or more, of the following problems: (a) they confuse the ethical assessment of the creation of chimeras with the ethical assessment of how such creatures would be treated in specific contexts (e.g. in the laboratory), (b) they misrepresent how a being could be treated solely as means towards others’ ends, (c) they fall short of demonstrating how humanity’s dignity would be violated by the creation of such entities, and (d) they fail to properly characterise the moral responsibilities that moral agents have towards other moral agents and sentient beings.

Stem cells and interspecies chimaeras

“…human-like cognitive abilities, human gametes, or human-like appearances 90 . Most discussion has focused on the brain; some suggest that chimeras could lead to moral confusion of humans and non-humans 86 or diminution of human dignity 87,88,91,92 . One powerful, but unlikely, concern is that such chimeras would actually have sufficient human-like consciousness or intelligence to "deserve" but be denied treatment as persons 89 .…”

How and Why to Replace the 14-Day Rule

“…Justifying this feeling of unease and coming up with reasons why this should not be permitted often relies on vague statements about human dignity [ 10 , 48 , 49 ] or moral confusion. Critics of such appeals to dignity, however, contend that they have thus far not produced a robust account of what would be wrong about such cases and how [ 50 – 53 ]. Perhaps we just do not know; the creation of such beings, and the scope, scale and nature of the wrongs or rights it might entail, remains a sort of moral terra incognita .…”

Chimeras intended for human gamete production: an ethical alternative?

“…If this is what it is meant, then what would actually follow is that how we treat such creatures determines whether their dignity is violated, or not (Palacios-González, 2015a). From this position, it would also follow that we have the same moral obligations towards such chimeras as we have towards other human persons.…”