Πειραματισμός πάνω σε ανθρώπινα έμβρυα: μια φιλοσοφική θεώρηση

Abstract

The basic question that concerns both philosophers and scientists nowadays is whether or not human embryos should be submitted to various kinds of experimentation and research. It is noted that each of the usual approaches propounded so far in order to deal with this matter, that is the utilitarian, the human being approach and the person approach, has not been successful for a number of reasons. Instead, it is proposed that we employ a more pragmatic approach which will enable us to view the issue in connection with the various other problems which arise regarding human embryos and deal with it in a way which is realistic to the facts, takes into consideration the moral sentiments of people but is also consistent and coherent. It is therefore suggested that a kind of experimentation on human embryos has been going on without our knowledge in our societies for the last four or five decades which has led to the prognosis, control and even therapy of important problems, such as infertility, thalassaemia beta, cystic fibrosis etc. The methods of in vitro fertilization, prenatal screening and preimplantation diagnosis which have been proved so decisive in combatting fatal, degenerative diseases have made extensive use of human embryos at an experimental stage before they reach the successful results they have done today. Furthermore, these therapeutic procedures constitute the main sources of a great number of the so-called ‘spare’ embryos along with the embryos that come from spontaneous abortions. It follows therefore that since people’s moral sentiments do not revolt at the idea of having used human embryos for the prognosis, control and therapy of certain important diseases, but instead tolerate the great number of abortions that are carried out every year in the name of the mother’s health and well-being, in the same way people’s feelings should not be offended when the existing human embryos are submitted to experiments and tests for the sake of other people’s health and the prolongation of their lives.