[Non-reproductive human cloning: the use of embryos for obtaining tissues for transplantation]

The article summarises the procedure for cloning human cells to obtain tissues for transplants and comments on the therapeutic possibilities. It discusses the ethical objections raised against the creation of embryos for this purpose, based on the fact that the resulting embryos are destroyed in the process of obtaining the stem cells. However, the author argues in favour of the depenalisation of the procedure, considering that the objections, although deserving of respect from the moral standpoint, are insufficient to warrant prohibition, particularly in view of the therapeutic potential of this cloning technique. Lastly, depenalisation would be consistent with the treatment given by Spanish law to preimplantation diagnosis and to the obtaining of embryos for in vitro fertilisation treatment.