It is understood that Embryonic Stem Cell Research (henceforth ESCR) is a topic of great concern to many. In fact, it is safe to say that the vast majority of people in the world are currently affected, or will someday be affected, by the results of the debate. Therefore, it is easily deduced that this topic is of the greatest importance. In this paper, I will discuss several of the moral concerns surrounding ESCR, specifically five ethical questions that seem to be at the center of the debate. I will answer these questions, arguing in favor of ESCR, from a Utilitarian point of view, and I will consider counter-arguments from Kantian and Divine Command Theory proponents.
Five questions that are at the core of the debate are:
1. What, in principle, is ethically at issue with destructive embryo research?
2. What is important when it comes to judging the value of the potential consequences of destructive embryo research?
3. In what does the value of the human embryo consist?
4. Does the means by which an embryo expires?whether it is destroyed or merely succumbs?make a moral difference?
5. Is there anything morally worse about using embryos created for research purposes compared to using existing excess or surplus ART (assisted reproductive treatment) embryos?
Given that ESCR requires the destruction of human embryos, it brings two rudimentary moral principles into conflict with each other: one principle that requires the prevention or alleviation of human suffering, and the other requires that we respect the value of human life. While it has not yet been proven that ESCR will bring about revolutionary advances in t ...