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Advance warnings. Dr Robert Edwards, the pioneer, called for regulation before success Watson (DNA) warned about cloning and surrogacy in 1971. Autonomy. Immanuel Kant 1724-1804 Man must not be treated as a means to an end but as an end in himself. John Stuart Mill.
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Advance warnings • Dr Robert Edwards, the pioneer, called for regulation before success • Watson (DNA) warned about cloning and surrogacy in 1971
Autonomy • Immanuel Kant 1724-1804 • Man must not be treated as a means to an end but as an end in himself
John Stuart Mill • Each is the proper guardian of his own health • Third parties may be harmed • Multiple births, allocation of resources, safety
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority UK • Established by 1990 Act • Licences and monitors clinics and laboratories, IVF and embryo research • 21 members appointed after advertisement
The Ethical Debate • Catholic Church believes that life starts at conception • Cardinal Trujillo announced excommunication for stem cell research
The Different Views • Christopher Reeve supported research • Jewish position that healing is an obligation • Many embryos are left to perish after IVF
Frozen Embryos • Law provides for 5-year storage • 1996 – thousands had to be destroyed • Donors could not be found • May be kept 10 years with consent after law changed
Ethics • Human dignity, worth and autonomy • The welfare of the potential child • Safety • Respect for the status of the embryo • Saving life through new technology
Supporters of Research I • Nancy Reagan and Michael J. Fox spoke up for it
Supporters of Research II • John Kerry (with Mrs. Reeve) debated with President Bush • Presidents Ford, Carter and Clinton
The Hashmi Family • Zain suffered from beta thalassaemia and needed blood from a compatible sibling • Need an embryo free of the disease • Need an embryo that is also compatible