Is stem cell research morally permissible

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Is stem cell research morally permissible?

• Michael Lacewing
• enquiries_at_alevelphilosophy.co.uk

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Creating embryonic stem cells

• Embryonic stem cell lines are created by removing
  an inner cell mass from a five- to seven-day-old
  embryo, a procedure which kills the embryo.
• When properly nurtured, the cells are able to
  replicate themselves, creating what is called a
  stem cell line that provides continuing
  opportunities for research. The undifferentiated
  cells have the potential to become any type of
  cell - brain, heart, liver, bone.
• The embryos used are surplus ones created by IVF
  treatment.
• Research on stem cells is almost entirely on
  embryonic stem cells. Recently, scientists have
  managed to find other sources for stem cells.

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The nature of the argument

• The presumption is that it is morally right, and
  good, to help human beings where we can
• But, we also think, not by any means
• So the question is is there a good reason not to
  help people in this way?

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The argument from potential

• Embryos have a right to life because they will
  become a person with a right to life if allowed
  to develop
• But
• Sperm and egg prior to conception have this
  potential, if allowed to conjoin
• Does potential matter? A student, who has the
  potential to become a teacher, is not put in
  charge of lessons until trained as a teacher you
  cant spend money you dont have yet
• The embryos in stem cell research wont develop
  unless implanted - so it doesnt have the
  potential to develop on its own

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The soul and the sanctity of life

• If people have souls, when does the soul and body
  come together? Traditional Catholic doctrine at
  conception - so the embryo is sacred, as all
  human life is, straight away
• But
• Two-thirds of embryos spontaneously aborted
• Some forms of contraception, including some forms
  of the pill, do not prevent conception, but
  prevent the embryo implanting in the uterus wall
• Until 14 days old, the embryo may split into two,
  becoming identical twins - one soul or two?

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Sanctity and the right to life

• So are embryos sacred? Do they have a right to
  life? Are these two questions the same?
• Why do human beings have a right to life? Is it
  something that distinguishes us from animals?
• Soul
• Reason
• Language
• Emotional experience
• Morality
• Just being human

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Dividing people up

• Apart from souls and being human, all other
  criteria are possessed by some human beings and
  not others, e.g. severe mental disability, senile
  dementia, permanent vegetative state
• Yet we dont think it is permissible to kill them
  for the benefit of others
• Sentience primitive consciousness of perception,
  pleasure, pain
• This begins around 20 weeks, so embryos dont
  have right to life.
• Many animals are sentient - do they have a right
  to life?

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Alternatives

• Alternatives for embryo unless IVF is
  prohibited, it will die anyway
• Alternatives to stem cell research does it
  matter if there is no other way of producing
  these benefits?
• Not if it is wrong to use embryos - we wouldnt
  use adults in this way

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Does the source of stem cells matter?

• Stem cells can now be extracted from amniotic
  fluid would it be permissible to use these?
• Induced pluripotent cells are cells that have
  been reprogrammed to become stem cells
• But should we stop research on embryonic stem
  cells meanwhile?

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The importance of the debate

• Even if the answer is that it is morally
  permissible to use embryos in stem cell research,
  it would be wrong to do so lightly and without
  due consideration
• Embryos are alive
• Embryos are human (of human material)