In the world of Dolly, when does a human embryo acquire respect?

Abstract

For most of the 20th century, it was possible to regard fertilisation astheidentifiable point when life begins, because this moment could be defined unequivocally and was thought to be the single most essential biological step in the establishment of a new human entity. Since the successful reproductive cloning of Dolly and other mammals, it is clear that any human cell has the potential to supply the full genome of an embryo, and hence a person, without going through fertilisation. At what point in time do such embryos acquire the respect accorded to human beings? The authors argue that the time of implantation is the most useful point at which the potential and the intention to create a new person are translated into reality, because from that point a new life develops. Implantation differentiates a somatic cell in culture (which is not due respect) from a human entity that has acquired its own identity and developmental potential. The authors examine the value of quickening or viability as alternative developmental stages in the process of acquiring respect for the Dolly embryo.

Embryonic Stem Cell Patents and Human Dignity

“…I think that the embryo does have moral value, but its value does not imply a right to life. An embryo acquires a right to life only after it implants in the womb, about 8-10 days after ovulation [5]. Aborting an implanted embryo is prima facie morally wrong and requires substantial justification (i.e.…”

A natural stem cell therapy? How novel findings and biotechnology clarify the ethics of stem cell research

“…In any strict sense, the renucleated, dividing cell created by somatic cell nuclear transfer is not an embryo because, like a parthenote, it is never fertilised by a sperm: and because it is never implanted into a woman's womb, it does not have even the potential to become an embryo. 18 We know that parthnotes cannot develop placental tissue, and so could never develop into a human being; similarly, renucleated cells can be modified to prevent placental differentiation. Alexander Meissner and Rudolf Jaenisch, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have used nuclear transfer to create stem cells in mice that are totipotent yet cannot implant into the uterus because of a disruption in placental formation.…”

The moral status of the embryo post-Dolly

“…However, we will argue that the issues Cameron and Williamson raise are not novel, but are nevertheless important in the post-Dolly era. 2 Their concern to establish the respect due to a cloned embryo raises familiar issues surrounding the moral status of the embryo. Similarly, their discussion of the fact that fertilisation can no longer be seen as the starting point of the development of a human being highlights the ongoing need to alter our terminology and understanding in the light of scientific developments.…”

“…Their initial discussion sets the scene by providing a valuable overview of attitudes towards the embryo, summarising various religious, scientific, and philosophical viewpoints. 2 They then ask, ''What has Dolly changed?'' and identify five changes, the first being that fertilisation is no longer required to create an embryo.…”

“…and identify five changes, the first being that fertilisation is no longer required to create an embryo. 2 Following this analysis they then ask when does an embryo created other than by fertilisation begins to acquire respect.…”