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Is It Ethical to Obtain Stem Cells from Embryos Respectfully Let to Die?

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Stem cells are cells within early embryos prior to implantation in the uterus that have the potential to create tissues which can be given to patients whose own tissues are missing or diseased. Currently, stem cells are being used for research to see how this can be successfully accomplished. There has been much concern by some how stem cells are obtained for this scientific research. The concern revolves around whether embryos are being killed in order to remove these special cells. Some feel that embryos even prior to implantation represent potential persons who have rights that include the right to live and not be killed even to save the life of a patient.

To get around this moral dilemma, Mary and Anthony Mahowald writing in The American Journal of Bioethics (volume 2 number 1) suggest an ethical bypass. They argue that "killing: and "letting die" should have the same standard moral and legal distinction in embryos as it has with persons who have been born. In these persons, organs are not obtained for research or transplantation by killing the person but are obtained only after the person has died. The Mahowalds argue that "embryos in a petri dish are more likely to die than become indisputably persons by being born---even if they are transferred to a woman’s body for gestation. The great majority are non-viable, which means that they will die in a short time (the onset of which may be delayed though freezing) no matter what efforts are made to sustain their development. Since death is certain for thousands of in vitro embryos, shouldn't the same standard by which hospital patients are legally and morally allowed to die be acceptable for them? ... If stem cells are then retrieved from embryos that have expired, the retrieval is morally analogous to retrieval of vital organs from those who are newly deceased. ... Regardless of whether developing embryos are deemed persons, respect for human life in its earliest stages is compatible with research on stem cells obtained from human embryos so long as the cells are retrieved from embryos that have been allowed, respectfully, to die." Since stem cells can be used from recently dead embryos, the ethical bypass by the Mahowalds could be practical. How do you feel about their argument in defence of the procurement of stem cells from such embryos? Should embryos that have just died have more right to their own integrity than a patient who has just died? If not, then there should be nothing unethical or immoral to obtain their stem cells. Correct?

Here is the question:

Is it ethical to obtain stem cells from embryos which have been allowed respectfully to die?

In response to your question. I believe that recovering stem cells from the deceased embryo that has been allowed to "respectfully die" is an acceptable ethical practice. In my opinion this research could further medicine in restoring some of the nations most complex health problems. As long as the parents consent to the procedure I believe its is not different from harvesting donated organs.A common practice of today.

I fully agree with the Mahowalds ethical bypass. It is my belief that embryos before implantation are not considered a living person. However, I understand the argument of those who do. With the Mahowalds ethical bypass this argument is shown to not be important. If stem cells can be retrieved from embryos that have died, then why not? That is the same as person who has died and then we harvest their organs. One argument could be that these embryos have no voice like a living person who can sign a living will or become an organ donor. However, the fine line between what is considered a life has been blurred with the technological advances of things such as In vitro fertilization. Do those who engage in In vitro fertilization grieve over the embryos which don't successfully implant into the uterus? Possibily. The overwhelming promise that stem cells provide for such diseases as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's override the idea that embryos are a living person, especially if cells are harvested after the embryos die.

I think that research should be done on embryos in the same way that it is done on deceased persons. No one should create an embryo just to let it die. And yes, taking an embryo before it is viable knowing full well that it could not live is aiding in the death of that embryo. If an embryo dies and the mother wishes to donate tissues, then let them research. No other way.

Of course, in the case supposed here, there's no ethical problem at all. If the stem cells obtained from dead embrions were the only ones in use, there'd be no reason to ban this kind of reasearch. the problem comes when embrions are PRODUCED with the only purpose of killing them... in that case, i've some doubts about the subject that'd need to be solved... would that be ethic? Are those embrions life beings that deserve the defense of their dignity? and should all this research be financially supported with public funds?

Why not? What the hell is wrong with it? I mean they're dead any way, right? If it helps people to walk again or repair nerves or whatever. I mean if you had lost use of your legs you would want someting to theoreticly help you. I'm a catholic and I have no problem with it.

Stem cell research can do so much to help so many, however, I had a problem with the way some stem cells were harvested. This article gave a new slant on this much like organ donors. This is a concept I can live with as long as the embryos are dead before harvesting and the parents are in full agreement with this.

Why not? Why not use embryos that are not "alive" anyway or that are unwanted by someone. We allow women to have abortions, but we can't take unliving embryos to help people in need? I know that these embryos have a variety of uses, for cancer pts. to pts. with alzheimers disease. Why can't we help people that are alive and that need the help? I' m all for keeping the living alive and healthy. What would it be hurting?

Secularly, yes, it is ethical. However, there are religious sects that believe such research and even the proposed ends of this research are unethical. So, is it ethical? Given both populations, the answer is obviously: Maybe. It depends who's being asked. So the question becomes: When is it ethical to use stem cell research from deceased embryos?

I would have to say that as long as the parents of the deceased embryo consent to its use in research then so be it. If the parents cannot be accounted for, then the rightful guardian(s) of the embryo ought decide; be it the hospital, state, etc.