Posted by alexandra_k on May 29, 2005, at 18:31:57
http://www.isscr.org/public/ethics.htm
That talks about the ethical issues involved...
So SOME (but not all) stem cell research involves using donated embryos.
But what happens if the embryos aren't donated for stem cell research???
They die anyway.
An embryo (presumably) can't feel pain because it doesn't have a nervous system...
Oh. Just asked my officemate...
So... Its more complicated than that....
In terms of fertility treatment...
They make lots of pre-embryos (between 4 and 8 cells)...
Freeze them...
Implant about 4 in the hope one will take...
If none do then defrost some embryos and try again...The ones that aren't used are supposed to stay frozen for 5 years??? 10 years????
Jeepers.
You can donate embryos to other people now...
At the end of the time they were defrosting them and letting them die...
But:
One fertitility clinic (in the US) accidently destroyed some pre-embryos and were charged with wrongful death.
Oh.
I think I am starting to see the controversy...
Hmm.
What do people think???
Apparantly they may not be destroying them anymore because of all the court cases...
Do pre-embryo's (between 4 and 8 cells) have a right to life (in a freezer, heh heh)?????
poster:alexandra_k
thread:504910
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050509/msgs/504910.html