The development of assisted reproductive technique and the birth of cloned sheep 'Dolly' arise serious ethical issues. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and contragestive means of birth control also bring procreative liberty and prenatal life into conflict...
The development of assisted reproductive technique and the birth of cloned sheep 'Dolly' arise serious ethical issues. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and contragestive means of birth control also bring procreative liberty and prenatal life into conflict. These activities arise at the very earliest stages of human life, after fertilization but before the early embryo has implanted in the uterus, and long before a nervous system and differentiated organs, much less brain waves or viability, have developed. But while early embryos are much less developed than fetuses, they too are genetically unique, living human entities that have the potential to develop into full persons. The central problem in determining the legal status of early embryos is reconciling respect for human life and personhood with competing concerns of bodily integrity and procreative choice.
As technological change increases access to early embryos, evaluation of their unique biological, moral, and legal status is necessary. We must address such questions as: What is the moral and legal status of fertilized eggs, zygotes, blastocysts, and other preimplantation embryos? Are they or should they be treated as more developed fetuses? What difference does location in or outside the woman's body make? What restrictions on their creation, manipulation, and destruction should be permitted or encouraged?
I focus on the legal protection of gamete and embryo for avoiding the risk of biotechnique. As to the protection of gamete, it is necessary to regulate, by means of a licensing system, any research or treatment which involves the creation, keeping and use of human embryos outside the body, or the storage or donation of human eggs and sperm.
I conclude that at this time it is morally unacceptable for anyone in the public or private sector, whether in a research or clinical setting, to attempt to create a child using somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning. I believe it would violate important ethical obligations were clinicians or researchers to attempt to create a child using these particular technologies, which are likely to involve unacceptable risks to the fetus and/or potential child. Moreover, in addition to safety concerns, many other serious ethical concerns have been identified, which require much more widespread and careful public deliberation before this technology may be used.
As to preimplantation genetic diagnosis, it has benefits, such as expand of reproductive option, reduction of morbidity and mortality, information to prepare for a birth and reduction of anxiety, it has also risks. So the admissibility of preimplantation genetic diagnosis has to be considered carefully.
Because scientific knowledge is essential for all citizens to participate in a full and informed fashion in the governance of our complex society, I recommends that government and agencies concerned with science should cooperate in seeking out and supporting opportunities to provide information and education to the public in thearea of genetics, and on other developments in the biomedical sciences, especially where these affect important cultural practices, values, and beliefs.