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Moral qualms, future persons, and embryo research.

David Martin Shaw¹

¹Dental School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow. d.shaw@dental.gla.ac.uk

|April 15, 2008

Summary

Moral concerns about embryo research often mask prudential motives, obscuring ethical debates on embryo research and therapeutic cloning. This leads to flawed reasoning and neglects duties to future persons.

Area of Science:

Bioethics
Medical Ethics
Reproductive Ethics

Background:

Public moral qualms regarding embryo research are common.
These concerns often stem from a belief that embryos warrant protection.
Existing ethical debates frequently center on the moral status of embryos.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the underlying motivations behind moral qualms about embryo research.
To demonstrate how these qualms obscure genuine ethical issues in embryo research and therapeutic cloning.
To critique the fallacious application of the Actions/Omissions Distinction in this debate.

Main Methods:

Philosophical analysis of ethical arguments.
Examination of the role of prudential versus moral reasoning.

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Deconstruction of the Actions/Omissions Distinction in bioethical discourse.

Main Results:

Moral qualms about embryo research frequently camouflage prudential considerations.
This obfuscation hinders a clear understanding of the ethical landscape surrounding embryo research and therapeutic cloning.
The debate is marred by the misapplication of the Actions/Omissions Distinction.

Conclusions:

Ethical discussions on embryo research must move beyond superficial moral qualms.
A clearer focus on prudential motives and the correct application of ethical distinctions is necessary.
Neglecting duties to future persons is a consequence of the current flawed ethical discourse.