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1Philosophy Department, Bowling Green State University, Shatzel Hall, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. rdisilv@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Bioethics
|October 18, 2006
Summary
The argument from potential (AFP) for embryo protection is defended against cloning concerns. It argues that only early embryos, not all somatic cells, possess the relevant potential, thus avoiding absurd implications.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Philosophy of Biology
- Reproductive Ethics
Background:
- Massimo Reichlin previously defended the argument from potential (AFP) for protecting human embryos from conception.
- R. Alto Charo critiqued AFP, arguing human cloning creates an absurd entailment: all somatic cells must be protected.
- Charo's critique suggests AFP versions are vulnerable and should be rejected due to cloning advancements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Charo's critique of the argument from potential (AFP) in the context of human cloning.
- To determine if AFP, as defended by Reichlin, leads to the absurd conclusion that all somatic cells require protection.
- To re-examine the distinction between the potential of somatic cells and early human embryos.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical argumentation and critical analysis of ethical arguments.
- Examination of the concept of 'potential' as applied to biological entities.
- Deconstruction of Charo's reasons for equating the potential of somatic cells with that of zygotes.
Main Results:
- Charo's reasons for doubting differences between somatic cells and zygotes are found to be inconclusive.
- A relevant distinction is identified between the potential of somatic cells and the potential of early human embryos.
- The alleged absurd entailment (that all somatic cells are sacred) is shown to be a false entailment.
Conclusions:
- The argument from potential (AFP) is not invalidated by the advent of human cloning.
- The AFP can consistently maintain that early human embryos warrant protection without extending this to all somatic cells.
- Ethical considerations regarding the potential of cells must differentiate between cell types, particularly early embryos versus somatic cells.
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