Is this Cell a Human Being?

The debate over the status of the human embryo has a high profile worldwide, yet this is the first book to comprehensively cover recent developments and rigorously explore the features of a cell entity that are prerequisites to designating it as a human being.

The central question of this book is whether or not particular cell entities of human origin ought to be considered human beings. The answer is crucial for making moral decisions for or against research and experimentation. Experts in the field discuss the production of embryonic-like pluripotent stem cells by altered nuclear transfer, parthenogenesis and reprogramming of adult somatic cells. They thoroughly analyse the biological and moral status of different cell entities, such as human stem cells, embryos and human-animal hybrid embryos, and make a decisive step towards establishing final criteria for what constitutes a human being. The topic is challenging in nature and of broad interest to all those concerned with current bioethical thought on embryonic human life and its implications for society.

Discusses which embryonic or stem cell entities may be human beings Interdisciplinary and international in authorship, drawing together scientists, clinicians, philosophers and historians from throughout Europe and the USA Chapters rigorously discussing altered nuclear transfer, parthenotes and interspecies embryos Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt

Introduction.- Breakthrough in stem cell research? The reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells. Overview and outlook.- Pre-implantation stages of human development: the biological and moral status of early embryos.- Complete moles and parthenotes are not organisms.- Embryos grown in culture deserve the same moral status as embryos after implantation.- Distinguishing embryos from non-embryos.- Is the human embryo a person? On the status of cell entities produced through ANT.- Does a human being have a right to life? The debate on embryo research in Germany as a case study.- Interspecies mixtures and the status of humanity.- The boundaries of humanity: the ethics of human-animal chimeras in cloning and stem cell research.- Is this cell entity a human being? Neural activity, spiritual soul, and the status of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).