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Ethics in Stem Cell Applications

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Essential Current Concepts in Stem Cell Biology

Part of the book series: Learning Materials in Biosciences ((LMB))

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Abstract

Ethical discussions on stem cell research focus on human embryonic stem cell. Taking ES cells from embryos in the blastocyst stage implies the destruction of the embryo. The opinions within the spectrum of positions break down into two basic patterns of argument. Both patterns start with a clear assumption that the born human being must be ensured protection. One side emphasises that the relevant characteristics and prerequisites of being a person are successively added, while the other side stresses identify and continuity between the embryo and the born human being. This chapter shows some proposals of caesura in the development of an embryo which have been regarded as significant and presents the most important arguments for linking the stages of development. Moreover the moral discussions that resulted in the legal regulations in Germany are explained.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Günther et al. (2014). The legal regulation of preimplantation genetic diagnosis in § 3a does not change the prohibition of research with embryos: “With the law of regulation of the preimplantation genetic diagnosis, which got approved by the German parliament on November 21st 2011, and the change of embryo protection law related to it, and despite its fundamental prohibition, the genetic examination of the pluripotent cells of the embryo in vitro, before its intrauterine transfer, within exceptions and tight limits, is declared not illegal. Hence there is an explicitly legal regulation of PGD for the first time. Applying PGD on the basis of the new law is however only permitted once the regulation on the legitimate implementation of preimplantation genetic diagnosis is legally valid.” (Deutsches Referenzzentrum für Ethik in den Biowissenschaften 2016, In focus (7 http://www.drze.de/in-focus/preimplantation-genetic-diagnosis/legal-aspects?set_language=en)

  2. 2.

    The first amendment of the Stem Cell Act in 2008 shows that joint European research programmes have brought up the question of harmonisation of the legal situation across Europe and that opponents of restrictive legislation could succeed to reverse the cut-off date. This is because scientists broadly agree that stem cell lines produced before this cut-off date are unsuitable for such purposes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Practical Philosophy and Ethics, Catholic Private University Linz, Linz, Austria

    Michael Fuchs

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  1. Michael Fuchs
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Correspondence to Michael Fuchs .

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  1. Department of Anatomy & Molecular Embryology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Beate Brand-Saberi

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Fuchs, M. (2020). Ethics in Stem Cell Applications. In: Brand-Saberi, B. (eds) Essential Current Concepts in Stem Cell Biology. Learning Materials in Biosciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33923-4_14

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