Ethical debates in Brazil concerning potential medical applications of embryonic stem cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marília Bernardes Marques
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Medical Applications ◽  
Potential Use

AbstractThe potential use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) as well as the disposable and destruction of human embryos produced for

scholarly journals Embryoid research calls for reassessment of legal regulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Hengstschläger ◽  
Margit Rosner
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Legal Regulations ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractIt is known that in countries, in which basic research on human embryos is in fact prohibited by law, working with imported human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can still be permitted. As long as hESCs are not capable of development into a complete human being, it might be the case that they do not fulfill all criteria of the local definition of an embryo. Recent research demonstrates that hESCs can be developed into entities, called embryoids, which increasingly could come closer to actual human embryos in future. By discussing the Austrian situation, we want to highlight that current embryoid research could affect the prevailing opinion on the legal status of work with hESCs and therefore calls for reassessment of the regulations in all countries with comparable definitions of the embryo.

scholarly journals Human Embryonic Stem Cells Where To Draw The Line

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-43
Author(s):  
T Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Eternal Life ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Wide Range

Introduction: Human-embryonic stem cells (hESC) are derived from very early stages of the human embryo. These cells have immense plasticity and can be conditioned to develop into any type of cell of the human body. Despite all their promising utility, hESC researches have recently been the subject of fervent debate. Objective: This paper explores the implications of hESC therapy from a bio-ethical perspective. Method: Published literature with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria was extensively reviewed through use of general and meta search engines to elucidate the applications and implications of hESC. Discussion: Studies indicate that the potential of hESC in reconstructive and regenerative medicine is undisputable but complex social and moral issues are hopelessly intertwined beneath the pleasant facade. hESC offer endless possibilities in understanding bio-molecular disease patterns, supplying readymade healthy organs, interpreting aging and organogenesis at the cellular level. The use of hESC is well established in leukemia and scientists anticipate diverse applications in a wide range of congenital and acquired medical conditions. However, many dilemmas arise in context of their biomedical usage because of the destruction of donor human embryos in producing stem cells, adverse transplant reactions, teratogenecity, phenotypic / genotypic abnormalities, nonstandardized research laws, logistic issues and the possibility of eternal life and humanoid chimeras. Conclusion: The wisdom to choose between ' mindful utilization' and 'senseless exploitation' lies with us. The large scale commercialization of human life or the killing of viable embryos cannot be justified by any means. A neutral approach with increased involvement of uncontroversial progenitors should be adopted. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i2.10396 JAFMC 2011; 7(2): 40-43

scholarly journals Kantian Ethics And The Hesc Research: A Philosophical Exploration

PREDESTINASI ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Chris O. Abakare
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Immanuel Kant ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Autonomous Agents ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Categorical Imperative ◽  
Moral Worth ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Hesc Research

The scientific reports on the successful use of Human Embryonic Stem cells to cure many sicknesses as provoked a long-standing controversy about the ethics of research involving human embryos. This controversy arises from sharply differing moral views regarding the use of embryos for research purposes. Indeed, an earnest international scholarly debate continues till today over the ethical, legal, and medical issues that arise in this arena. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) had given a moral guideline that ethical decisions should be made by considering the nature of the act itself, not its consequences. Furthermore, Kant has warned that persons (autonomous agents) have a special moral worth or dignity, which is the basis for the respect that is owed to them. Thus, respect for persons, means never using persons merely as means to our ends, but always treating them also as ends in themselves. Some philosophers like Richard Doerflinger, Michael Novak, Gilbert Meilaender, and Robert P. George have used the Kantian formula of humanity to criticize the argument that spare IVF embryos can be used for stem cell research given their inevitable death and thus lack of properties for future life. However, the purpose of this paper is to take a critical look at the Human Embryonic Stem cells subject matter to investigate the concept of “personhood’, with the maxim of ‘never treating a person as a means’. This paper argues that if we accepts the definition of a person to possess capacities such as ‘rational’ ‘will’ and ‘self-determination’, then IVF embryos is not a person and can therefore be researched upon, used to derive human embryonic stem cells. Hence, Human Embryonic Stem cells research can be carried out within the ambiance of Kant Categorical Imperative without moral conflict. 

scholarly journals BMP-treated human embryonic stem cells transcriptionally resemble amnion cells in the monkey embryo

Biology Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sapna Chhabra ◽  
Aryeh Warmflash
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Early Human

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) possess an immense potential to generate clinically relevant cell types and unveil mechanisms underlying early human development. However, using hESCs for discovery or translation requires accurately identifying differentiated cell types through comparison with their in vivo counterparts. Here, we set out to determine the identity of much debated BMP-treated hESCs by comparing their transcriptome to recently published single cell transcriptomic data from early human embryos (Xiang et al., 2019). Our analyses reveal several discrepancies in the published human embryo dataset, including misclassification of putative amnion, intermediate and inner cell mass cells. These misclassifications primarily resulted from similarities in pseudogene expression, highlighting the need to carefully consider gene lists when making comparisons between cell types. In the absence of a relevant human dataset, we utilized the recently published single cell transcriptome of the early post implantation monkey embryo to discern the identity of BMP-treated hESCs. Our results suggest that BMP-treated hESCs are transcriptionally more similar to amnion cells than trophectoderm cells in the monkey embryo. Together with prior studies, this result indicates that hESCs possess a unique ability to form mature trophectoderm subtypes via an amnion-like transcriptional state.

scholarly journals BMP-treated human embryonic stem cells transcriptionally resemble amnion cells in the monkey embryo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sapna Chhabra ◽  
Aryeh Warmflash
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Early Human

AbstractHuman embryonic stem cells (hESCs) possess an immense potential to generate clinically relevant cell types and unveil mechanisms underlying early human development. However, using hESCs for discovery or translation requires accurately identifying differentiated cell types through comparison with their in vivo counterparts. Here, we set out to determine the identity of much debated BMP-treated hESCs by comparing their transcriptome to the recently published single cell transcriptomes of early human embryos in the study Xiang et al 2019. Our analyses reveal several discrepancies in the published human embryo dataset, including misclassification of putative amnion, intermediate and inner cell mass cells. These misclassifications primarily resulted from similarities in pseudogene expression, highlighting the need to carefully consider gene lists when making comparisons between cell types. In the absence of a relevant human dataset, we utilized the recently published single cell transcriptome of the early post implantation monkey embryo to discern the identity of BMP-treated hESCs. Our results suggest that BMP-treated hESCs are transcriptionally more similar to amnion cells than trophectoderm cells in the monkey embryo. Together with prior studies, this result indicates that hESCs possess a unique ability to form mature trophectoderm subtypes via an amnion-like transcriptional state.

scholarly journals Stem Cells Research: Therapeutic Potentials and Ethical Issues from Islamic Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Che Anuar Che Mohamad ◽  
Abdurezak Abdullahi Hashi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Research ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Cord Injury

The advancement in human stem cell research has promised a viable alternative treatment for a range of ‘incurable diseases’ such as neurological diseases. To date, several studies have documented substantial evidences on the therapeutic properties of stem cells in promoting repair in different diseases including common neurological disorders i.e. ischaemic stroke and spinal cord injury. However, the progress of stem cell research has been surrounded by ethical issues which largely due to the usage of human embryos as one of the sources. These embryonic stem cells which originally derived from human embryo of aborted foetus or already existing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) lines, has sparked an intense moral and religious argument among people of various faith, including Muslim community. From the therapeutic point of view, amongst the currently available stem cells, hESCs show the greatest potential for the broadest range of cell replacement therapies and are regarded as the most commercially viable. This review focuses on the major ethical issues, particularly to Muslim community, related to human embryonic stem cells research with special emphasis on the moral status of the embryo and the beginning of life according to the Islamic ethics and rulings. In this paper, we also discuss some ethical positions towards embryonic stem cell research in the Islamic world, including official regulations existing in some Muslim countries. We examine the justification and the necessity on the usage of hESCs following the newly discovered Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs) in the laboratory. In addition, we supplement the discussions with the general views and positions from the other two Abrahamic religions i.e. Christianity and Judaism.

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