[neverdem]

My purpose is just to keep abreast of stem cell science and legislation, whether it pertains to stem cells obtained from adults, umbilical cords or embryos, even though I have objections to using embryos.

They are not unqualified objections. What is supposed to be done with excess embryos from fertility clinics? I haven't heard a good answer yet. If the biological parents of those embryos give consent, what about problems with immunologic rejection or teratomas in therapeutic cloning?

This is one place where the ethics get "hairy", for lack of a better term. It also helps to understand why Catholic doctrine is against in vitro fertilization. But we already have a fait accompli.

[MHGinTN]

"What is supposed to be done with excess embryos from fertility clinics? I haven't heard a good answer yet. If the biological parents of those embryos give consent ...?" First, there ought not be 'excess embryos'; IVF should be done one embryo at a time, to avoid the ethical and moral dilemmas as now existing, to avoid the dehumanization which endorses 'excess' lives in the name of greater assurance that a pregnancy will occur (and excess fetuses are also aborted in this process of 'excess'). But, how --if one believes the alive embryos (albethey frozen in a tank) are in fact humans at their earliest age in a lifetime begun already-- can the parents of these humans have a right to buy, sell, or donate for excision? Do parents have such a right with otherwise healthy toddlers?

[Coleus]

[hocndoc]

http://blog.bioethics.net/


Way, way down at May 11,
When it Snows Embryos


Be sure and read Glenn's comments.