Creating and sacrificing embryos for stem cells.
The compromise position that accepts the use and derivation of stem cells from spare in vitro fertilisation embryos but opposes the creation of embryos for these purposes is a very weak ethical position. This paper argues that whatever the basis is on which defenders of this viewpoint accord intrinsic value to the embryo, once they accept the creation and sacrifice of embryos to benefit infertile people with a child-wish, they do not have a sound moral argument to condemn the creation and sacrifice of embryos to benefit ill and injured people.
Devolder
K
K
Centre for Environmental Philosophy and Bioethics, Ghent University, Belgium. katrien.devolder@ugent.be
D001294:Attitude to Health; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000941:ethics; D040261:Harm Reduction / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D033182:Intention; D009014:Morals; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D035845:Research Embryo Creation / Q000941:ethics*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000941:ethics*; D026712:Value of Life