[Open questions in neurotransplantation. Attempted at an unbiased ethical analysis]

Neurotransplantation utilizing fetal (embryonic) tissue for treating Morbus Parkinson is a matter of ethical debate, among professionals as well as the public at large. Here, we take a systematic approach to the questions raised to facilitate an unbiased ethical analysis and to attempt adequate answers. Possible functions of ethics in medicine, principles of ethical reflexion in medicine and perspectives of ethical reflexion are differentiated resp. combined. Relevant areas of ethical conflict may thus be identified separating at the same time the context of explantation from that of implantation. Taking as our starting point a systematic discussion of the various open questions, we put forward 5 conclusions. These should help clarify under which conditions the therapy model of neurotransplantation will be admissible.