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Can artificial techniques supply morally neutral human embryos for research?
William P Cheshire1, Nancy L Jones
1Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Ethics & Medicine : a Christian Perspective on Issues in Bioethics
|November 4, 2005
Summary
Artificial human embryos challenge ethical norms. However, even technologically altered embryos retain natural features, suggesting they should still be considered for human moral status, especially in uncertain cases.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Developmental Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Controversy surrounds human embryo research.
- Biotechnology offers artificial human embryos as an alternative.
- Ethical considerations for artificial embryos are debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if artificial human embryos warrant exemption from ethical restraints.
- To analyze moral differences between natural and artificial embryos.
- To determine if artificiality negates human moral status.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical analysis using Aristotelian categories (matter, form, generative means, purpose).
- Physicalist viewpoint on technological limitations in altering embryonic essence.
- Essentialist viewpoint on the inherent nature of human beings.
Main Results:
- Technology achieves limited artificiality; embryos retain natural features.
- Human embryos cannot be entirely artificial due to inherent nature.
- Artificial classification is insufficient to remove moral status considerations.
Conclusions:
- Artificial human embryos should not be automatically exempt from ethical considerations.
- The principle of recognizing human moral status applies broadly.
- Uncertain cases warrant consideration of special human moral status for altered organisms.