Stem cell research, personhood and sentience

Authors: Bortolotti, Lisa¹; Harris, John¹

Source: Reproductive BioMedicine Online, Volume 10, Supplement 1, March 2005 , pp. 68-75(8)

Publisher: Reproductive Healthcare Ltd

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Abstract:

In this paper the permissibility of stem cell research on early human embryos is defended. It is argued that, in order to have moral status, an individual must have an interest in its own wellbeing. Sentience is a prerequisite for having an interest in avoiding pain, and personhood is a prerequisite for having an interest in the continuation of one's own existence. Early human embryos are not sentient and therefore they are not recipients of direct moral consideration. Early human embryos do not satisfy the requirements for personhood, but there are arguments to the effect that they should be treated as persons nonetheless. These are the arguments from potentiality, symbolic value and the principle of human dignity. These arguments are challenged in this paper and it is claimed that they offer us no good reason to believe that early human embryos should be treated as persons.

Keywords: EMBRYOS; PERSONHOOD; SENTIENCE; STEM CELLS

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Social Ethics and Policy, School of Law, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

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