Stem Cell Research: The Ethical Issues

Sometimes ethical issues behind scientific advances are not fully addressed until it is too late, as during the development of the first atomic bomb. In Stem Cell Research, the editors collected essays to stimulate discussion of the ethical issues surrounding the use of stem cells in research and medicine. This collection provides excellent philosophical and biological arguments in support of stem cell research. The introduction sets the stage for the 10 essays contributed by authors in philosophy, bioethics, and biology, although, as the editors point out, only one contributing author is a scientist. There is a brief introduction to the political history of stem cell research, followed by descriptions of early mammalian development, in vitro models, and cloning. These descriptions are great refreshers for people already familiar with developmental biology, but the use of technical jargon would make them difficult for the average reader to understand. The essays address the ethics of stem cell research from a variety of viewpoints. The first essay by Katrien Devolder and John Harris argues that our view of embryos is ethically inconsistent. This inconsistency is evident in the example of identical twins, which result from splitting of the early embryo. If life begins at conception, as many conservative groups believe, when did life begin for each of these twins? The authors expand on this argument and others regarding the creation of embryos for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and conclude that the moral arguments against the use of embryos for stem cell research are not consistent with how most people live their lives. Jeff McMahan attacks the moral objection to the use of embryos by arguing that we are not “human organisms.” What we identify as ourselves is typically not our body, but our consciousness. McMahan states that we are “embodied minds.” Since we do not really exist until we develop consciousness, the destruction of embryos for research cannot be morally wrong. Other arguments examined include the moral principle objection, which is the statement that intentionally allowing a human being to die for pursuit of research is wrong, the concern that stem cell research will support abortion, and the use of embryos already created in IVF clinics for stem cell research. The last three essays address the social issues surrounding stem cell research. An essay by Lori Gruen, one of the co-editors, examines whether women should be paid to donate their eggs for research and therapies. David DeGrazia discusses the concerns raised by the potential production of humananimal chimeras and concerns about the use of animals in general for research. The final essay byTorgjörn Tännsjö describes why the author believes no compromise position on the use of embryos for stem cell research is possible in a liberal society. Stem Cell Research: The Ethical Issues provides detailed descriptions of the arguments adopted by proponents of stem cell research. It is a great resource for anyone with a biological background seeking intelligent arguments in support of stem cell research.