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A libertarian perspective on the stem cell debate: compromising the uncompromisible
1College of Business Administration, Loyola University New Orleans, 6363 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. walterblock@cba.loyno.edu
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|July 14, 2010
Summary
This paper proposes a property rights framework for stem cell research, viewing fertilized eggs as human beings. It suggests a competition between researchers and adopters, allowing research only if adoption is not chosen, to prevent child abuse.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Philosophy of Law
Background:
- Stem cell research faces ethical debates regarding the moral status of human embryos.
- Conflicting views exist between those who condemn embryo use and proponents of its scientific benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel ethical compromise for stem cell research.
- To reconcile opposing viewpoints on embryo utilization through a property rights framework.
Main Methods:
- Application of libertarian private property rights theory to fertilized eggs.
- Introduction of a hypothetical competition between entities fertilizing eggs for research and individuals seeking adoption.
Main Results:
- Fertilized eggs are considered human beings with full rights.
- Research use of embryos is permissible only if they are not selected for adoption, framed as avoiding child abuse.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework offers a potential resolution to the ethical dilemma of stem cell research.
- This approach prioritizes potential adoption while permitting research under specific conditions.
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