Chapter 15. Ethical (and Political) Issues in Research with Human Stem Cells
- Gregory Bock Organizer,
- Jamie Goode
Published Online: 7 OCT 2008
DOI: 10.1002/0470091452.ch15
Copyright © Novartis Foundation 2005
Book Title
Stem Cells: Nuclear Reprogramming and Therapeutic Applications: Novartis Foundation Symposium 265
Additional Information
How to Cite
Murray, T. H. (2008) Ethical (and Political) Issues in Research with Human Stem Cells, in Stem Cells: Nuclear Reprogramming and Therapeutic Applications: Novartis Foundation Symposium 265 (eds G. Bock and J. Goode), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/0470091452.ch15
Publication History
- Published Online: 7 OCT 2008
- Published Print: 18 MAR 2005
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780470091432
Online ISBN: 9780470091456
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- research ethics and human ES cells;
- cloning-for-research;
- nuclear transfer in stem cell;
- stringent ethical standards;
- public accountability;
- Ethics Advisory Board (EAB);
- therapeutic cloning;
- Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Summary
Though it is possible to discuss the ethics of research with human embryonic stem (ES) cells without any reference to politics, doing so would shed little light on the nature or intensity of the public debate, especially in the USA. Ethical arguments and scientific claims have been appropriated and offered with what appears often to be little regard for their soundness or relevance. In this paper I will discuss: (1) briefly, the history of research ethics and policy regarding human embryos in the US and the UK; (2) the decisions made by the current President of the USA regarding ES cell research, including a critical examination of the ethical arguments offered; (3) the evolution of the debate in which nuclear transplantation in stem cell research has been conflated with cloning to attempt to create a human infant; (4) the stalemate within the US Congress over legislation on cloning; (5) possible developments suggesting that the current US policy on ES cell research may become unstable; and (6) the broader context of the ethical debate and what is at stake for the major protagonists.