The Debate
Through the research of stem cells, scientists are able to better understand the complexities surrounding human development and the abnormalities that may occur during this time. By studying these cells, they can grasp what causes these mutations and maybe even correct them. However a particular research area -human embryonic stem cells- has created a great deal of public debate and controversy. These stem cells, also known as pluripotent stem cells, are taken from human embryos that are around a few days old. The debate lies in this: By trying to discover new ways to more effectively prevent or lessen suffering, do we lower the value of human life? To attain embryonic stem cells, an early embryo must be destroyed. However embryonic stem cell research holds the key to a major discovery for new treatments that can help many to alleviate their problems. There are many arguments surrounding the moral status of the human embryo, though there are four viewpoints that are most argued.
1.) That the embryo has full moral status from fertilization onwards:
Those who argue for this point believe that the development from the embryo to a baby is a continuous process and that any attempt at trying to determine when personhood begins is unreasonable. On the other hand, those who argue against this viewpoint say that the embryo has not yet planted into the uterus and does not have any psychological, emotional, or physical properties that are associated with being a person. Also it is argued that the embryo will not form into a child without being transferred into a woman’s uterus; all embryos used for research purposes are cultivated in vitro and the chances of an embryo raised this way developing into a full-term birth is very low.
2.) There is a cut-off point after day fourteen of fertilization:
It is argued that around day fourteen, the embryo receives its personhood because before that day the embryo has no central nervous system or senses; after fourteen days the embryo can no longer split into twins; and that fertilization is a period of time rather than an individual moment so the embryo is not yet clearly defined as a person.
3.) The embryo has increasing status as it matures:
Some argue that as the embryo develops, the moral status develops. For example there is an obvious humanity given to a child at birth than to a fertilized egg. If a life is lost, the feeling of loss is different depending on the humanity placed on the life. If an embryo is lost, the degree of mourning would be much lower than per say an actual child. Also given the fact that almost half of fertilized eggs are lost to natural causes, it should not seem tragic if there are some lost in good cause. Arguments against this say that a person’s life is protected not because they are seen as important in relation to their placement in the world, but rather because they are important to the person involved.
4.) The embryo has no moral status:
Arguments supporting this viewpoint say that an early embryo is simply part of the body until it is able to exist independently. Therefore if the egg is destroyed before it implants into the uterine wall, it is not hurt because the egg has no beliefs, expectations, qualms, or purposes of being harmed. On the other side of the argument, others are saying that by destroying the embryo before reaching the uterine wall, it is stopped from developing normally and becoming what it is programmed to be- a human being.
Beliefs that also cause for the moral standpoint of embryonic stem cell research include religious views. Different religions view the beginning of a human life in various facets in regards to a human embryo.
For more information on the ethical debate of stem cell research, click here.
1.) That the embryo has full moral status from fertilization onwards:
Those who argue for this point believe that the development from the embryo to a baby is a continuous process and that any attempt at trying to determine when personhood begins is unreasonable. On the other hand, those who argue against this viewpoint say that the embryo has not yet planted into the uterus and does not have any psychological, emotional, or physical properties that are associated with being a person. Also it is argued that the embryo will not form into a child without being transferred into a woman’s uterus; all embryos used for research purposes are cultivated in vitro and the chances of an embryo raised this way developing into a full-term birth is very low.
2.) There is a cut-off point after day fourteen of fertilization:
It is argued that around day fourteen, the embryo receives its personhood because before that day the embryo has no central nervous system or senses; after fourteen days the embryo can no longer split into twins; and that fertilization is a period of time rather than an individual moment so the embryo is not yet clearly defined as a person.
3.) The embryo has increasing status as it matures:
Some argue that as the embryo develops, the moral status develops. For example there is an obvious humanity given to a child at birth than to a fertilized egg. If a life is lost, the feeling of loss is different depending on the humanity placed on the life. If an embryo is lost, the degree of mourning would be much lower than per say an actual child. Also given the fact that almost half of fertilized eggs are lost to natural causes, it should not seem tragic if there are some lost in good cause. Arguments against this say that a person’s life is protected not because they are seen as important in relation to their placement in the world, but rather because they are important to the person involved.
4.) The embryo has no moral status:
Arguments supporting this viewpoint say that an early embryo is simply part of the body until it is able to exist independently. Therefore if the egg is destroyed before it implants into the uterine wall, it is not hurt because the egg has no beliefs, expectations, qualms, or purposes of being harmed. On the other side of the argument, others are saying that by destroying the embryo before reaching the uterine wall, it is stopped from developing normally and becoming what it is programmed to be- a human being.
Beliefs that also cause for the moral standpoint of embryonic stem cell research include religious views. Different religions view the beginning of a human life in various facets in regards to a human embryo.
For more information on the ethical debate of stem cell research, click here.