Human embryonic stem cell research and the discarded embryo argument |
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Authors: | Mark Moller |
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Institution: | (1) Philosophy Department, Denison University, Granville, OH 43023, USA |
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Abstract: | Many who believe that human embryos have moral status are convinced that their use in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research
can be morally justified as long as they are discarded embryos left over from fertility treatments. This is one reason why
this view about discarded embryos has played such a prominent role in the debate over publicly funding hESC research in the
United States and other countries. Many believe that this view offers the best chance of a compromise between the different
sides in this debate. This paper focuses on what seems to be the most plausible argument for this view about discarded embryos.
It shows that this argument is unsound regardless of how one understands the claim that embryos have moral status. It also
discusses the implications of this conclusion for attempts to use this argument as a basis for public policy.
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Keywords: | Stem cells Embryos Moral status Symbolic theory In vitro fertilization Public policy |
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