The moral status of the embryo: the human embryo in the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulation 2001 debate.
The use of the embryo in research into birth defects, infertility and the possible therapeutic value of embryonic stem cells, has given rise to vigorous discussion of the ethical, moral and legal status of the embryo. This paper considers the parliamentary debate that surrounded the passing of legislation in the UK in 2000 governing the use of the embryo in research. Underlying disagreement by members of Parliament as to whether embryo research was permissible, were considerable differences regarding when life was thought to begin--whether at the moment of fertilization of the egg, or whether after 14 days, at the time of the beginnings of cell differentiation, and the point after which the embryo can no longer split to form twins. Those who favoured the latter view argued that, while the conceptus might possess a unique genetic formula, it had only the potential for life before 14 days, the development of human life being a gradual and continuous process. They considered it mistaken to accord the embryo full human rights. Those who adopted an opposed standpoint insisted that life was present and actual from the moment of conception and therefore sacrosanct and inviolable. The notion of the pre-embryo, they maintained, merely serves to disguise the embryo's humanity.
Bahadur
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University College London/UCL Hospitals Trust, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Laboratories, 25 Grafton Way, London, WC1E 6DB, UK. g.bahadur@ucl.ac.uk
D001675:Bioethics; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D011640:Public Policy; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D026712:Value of Life