The ethics of embryonic stem cell research
Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 29 (5):533 – 562 (2004)
Abstract
In this article I rebut conservative objections to five phases of embryonic stem cell research. I argue that researchers using existing embryonic stem cell lines are not complicit in the past destruction of embryos because beneficiaries of immoral acts are not necessary morally tainted. Second, such researchers do not encourage the destruction of additional embryos because fertility clinics presently destroy more spare embryos than researchers need. Third, actually harvesting stem cells from slated-to-be-discarded embryos is not wrong. The embryos are not sacrificed for the good of others because they would have been destroyed anyway. Fourth, harvesting stem cells from embryos that are not doomed is morally acceptable, because preserving frozen embryos is futile therapy. Finally, creating embryos solely for the sake of harvesting stem cells from them is morally acceptable because the assumption that embryos have the right to life has very counterintuitive implications.Author's Profile
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Citations of this work
Analyzing Social Policy Argumentation: A case study on the opinion of the German National Ethics Council on an amendment of the Stem Cell Law.Frank Zenker - 2010 - Informal Logic 30 (1):62-91.
Children, Fetuses, and the Non-Existent: Moral Obligations and the Beginning of Life.Elizabeth Jackson - 2021 - Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 46 (4):379–393.
Embryonic Stem Cells and Property Rights.A. -K. M. Andersson - 2011 - Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 36 (3):221-242.
Environmental Ethics.Roberta L. Millstein - 2013 - In K. Kampourakis (ed.), The Philosophy of Biology: A Companion for Educators. Springer.
Researchers and Firing Squads: Questions Concerning the Use of Frozen Human Embryos.P. Tully - 2011 - Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 36 (5):516-528.
References found in this work
Medical futility: its meaning and ethical implications.Lawrence J. Schneiderman, Nancy S. Jecker & Albert R. Jonsen - forthcoming - Bioethics.
The right to lie: Kant on dealing with evil.Christine M. Korsgaard - 1986 - Philosophy and Public Affairs 15 (4):325-349.