A Confucian Evaluation of Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Moral Status of Human Embryos

Stem cells have constituted a revolution in regenerative medicine and cancer therapies by providing the possibility of generating multiple therapeutically useful cell types that could be used for treating some of genetic and degenerative disorders. However, human embryonic stem cell research raises few ethical and political controversies because of its involvement in destruction of human embryos. The ethical issues in human embryonic stem cell research encompasses not only with question of the ethics of destroying human embryos, but also with questions about complicity of researchers in destruction of embryos, moral distinction between creating embryos for research purposes and creating them for reproductive ends and the permissibility of cloning human embryos to harvest stem cells. Bangladesh should formulate its own regulations justifying its stand regarding this matter. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v3i1.10867 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2012; 3(1):13-18

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Embryonic stem-cell research and the moral status of embryos

Internal Medicine Journal ◽

10.1046/j.1445-5994.2003.00476.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 33 (11) ◽

pp. 530-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

G. Chu

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Embryonic Stem Cell ◽

Stem Cell Research ◽

Moral Status ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

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Ethics of embryonic stem cell research according to Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, and Islamic religions: perspective from Malaysia

Asian Biomedicine ◽

10.5372/1905-7415.0801.260 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 43-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mathana Amaris Fiona Sivaraman ◽

Siti Nurani Mohd Noor

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Embryonic Stem Cell ◽

Stem Cell Research ◽

Human Life ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Embryonic Stem Cell Research ◽

Human Embryos ◽

Vitro Fertilization

Abstract Background: The use of embryos in embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) has elicited ethical controversies as it entails the destruction of 5-day old human embryos to harvest stem cells. Objective: To explore the ethical positions of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Catholicism concerning the use of (1) left-over embryos from in vitro fertilization (IVF) also known as ‘surplus’ embryos and (2) ‘research embryos’ which are created by scientists to conduct research using embryonic stem cells. Methods: The opinions of religious leaders of Buddhist, Hindu, and Catholic faiths in Malaysia pertaining to ESCR were examined via in-depth, semi-structured interviews while Islamic responses are collected from local writings related to the derivation of fatwa on this issue. Participants’ responses on the ethics of human stem cell research are presented as a reflection of various scriptural texts of these four religions. These are presented and supported with the help of international bioethics literature and focus on the use of ‘surplus’ embryos and ‘research’ embryos. Results: Islamic ethics deviate from Hindu and Buddhist teachings regarding saving of research embryos that have been created specifically for research and are considered as human lives only after 120 days fertilization. Hindu and Buddhists also underscore the sanctity of human life, but give priority to the alleviation of suffering in living adult humans. They generally encourage ESCR. Research is a knowledge-seeking endeavor considered noble by Islam. This is also a concept within Hindu and Buddhist philosophy; in particular, when potentially beneficial research goals are the basis. Catholicism also emphasizes sanctity of human life, but stresses also the inviolability of embryos from the moment of conception. Conclusion: Embryonic stem cell research is permissible and encouraged according to Hindu and Buddhist perspectives in view of the potential benefits of such research to society, with some reservations. This is similar to Islamic views on the ethics of ESCR. However, Catholicism differs from all the other three religions; it appears to discourage research in this field because of the likely violation of a sacred principle in Catholic teachings.

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