[Yes to research, no to utilization? Medical, pharmacological and toxicological utilization of human embryonic stem cells from an ethical point of view].
In exceptional cases, the German Stem Cell Act allows research on human embryonic stem cells. However, it does not allow the implementation of the research results if this in turn requires the use of further embryonic stem cell lines. It has, in the meantime, transpired that such research results could be of concrete use. Thus, in the distant future, it could be used in the clinical treatment of patients. Already in the nearer future the use of human embryonic stem cell lines can be envisaged for both the development and testing of medicines as well as in the field of toxicology. To this end, research concerning embryo toxicity and neurotoxicity is ground-breaking. The toxicological and pharmacological use of human embryonic stem cell lines should serve the protection of human health as well as the safe and reliable use of medicines. In addition, animal experiments could be reduced, which is desirable from a point of view of animal protection ethics. Since research on human embryonic stem cell lines is actually permitted in Germany, the use of the respective research results should be allowed all the more. This follows from the basic human right to health protection and health care. Legal ambiguities, which still exist in this respect, should be removed.
Kress
H
H
Evang-Theol Fakultät Abt Sozialethik, Universität Bonn, Bonn, BRD. hkress@uni-bonn.de
D017087:Animal Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000633:toxicity*; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D004994:Ethics, Pharmacy; D032984:Ethics, Research; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans
D015507:Drugs, Investigational