The potential of the human embryo

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Philosophy of Mind
• Moral Philosophy

Background:

• Debates surrounding embryo research often center on the moral status of the embryo.
• Human Being Theorists and Person Theorists hold opposing views on embryo research.
• The concept of 'higher order potential personhood' is central to these differing viewpoints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the ethical debate surrounding embryo research using a higher order potential analysis.
• To determine the conditions under which embryo research can be ethically justified.
• To analyze the transitivity of higher order potential personhood in relation to moral status.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of moral status and potential personhood.
• Examination of the properties of transitivity (active, identity preserving, morally relevant).
• Application of higher order potential analysis to the embryo-to-infant developmental transition.

Main Results:

• Higher order potential personhood is considered transitive if it is active, identity preserving, and morally relevant.
• A transitive transition from the embryo's Second Order Potential to an infant's First Order Potential supports the moral status of the embryo.
• An intransitive transition allows for distinctions in moral status, potentially permitting embryo research.

Conclusions:

• The ethical permissibility of embryo research depends on the transitive or intransitive nature of potential personhood.
• If potential personhood is transitive, the moral status of the embryo is significantly enhanced, posing a barrier to research.
• If potential personhood is intransitive, ethical distinctions can be made, allowing for the continuation of embryo research.