Complicity in stem cell research: the case of induced pluripotent stem cells

Human Reproduction
Katrien Devolder

Abstract

Many who object to human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research because they believe it involves complicity in embryo destruction have welcomed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) research as an ethical alternative. This opinion article aims to show that complicity arguments against hESC research are prima facie inconsistent with accepting iPSC research as it is currently done. Those who oppose hESC research on grounds of complicity should either (i) oppose iPSC research as well, (ii) advocate a radical change in the way iPSC research is done, (iii) demonstrate that complicity arguments against iPSC research are weaker than those against hESC research or (iv) reject complicity arguments against both hESC and iPSC research, either by adopting a more limited conception of complicity that allows acceptance of some hESC research, or by accepting that destroying embryos for important scientific research is not wrong.

References

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Citations

Nov 15, 2012·European Journal of Human Genetics : EJHG·Ana Sofia Carvalho, João Ramalho-Santos
Apr 7, 2011·Human Reproduction·João Ramalho-Santos
Dec 1, 2012·Stem Cells Translational Medicine·Justin LowenthalSara Chandros Hull
Jul 6, 2012·Journal of Policy Analysis and Management : [the Journal of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management]·Jason Owen-SmithJennifer B McCormick
Feb 14, 2016·Stem Cells and Development·Aurélie MoukaLucie Tosca
Feb 8, 2016·Mutation Research·Mathieu von JoestHan Li
Sep 24, 2011·Trends in Genetics : TIG·Vincent PasqueJ B Gurdon
Jun 28, 2011·Trends in Molecular Medicine·Richard P DavisChristine L Mummery
Nov 4, 2015·Trends in Cell Biology·Michael G DanielKateri A Moore
Jan 1, 2012·Drug Discovery Today. Disease Models·J Travis HinsonSean M Wu
Sep 28, 2014·Experimental Cell Research·Isabel Beerman, Derrick J Rossi
Sep 30, 2018·Progress in Biomaterials·Hengameh BakhtiarP M H Dummer

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