embryo

Ethics for embryos

October 16, 2008 by Tanya Zaleski Leave a Comment

If you have a slice of time today, you may want to watch the live feed of the New York State Stem Cell Science Ethics Committee Meeting.

Here’s a side of the issue I never thought about before: If a woman’s eggs are harvested for the purposes of IVF, a research company may eventually approach her in the future, if the eggs go unused, and ask to fertilize her eggs with sperm from an anonymous donor. *gag* Is anyone else’s skin crawling?

At 2pm, of special interest, they will be discussing ‘Respect for the Embryo.’

From what I’ve gathered so far, everyone in the room is for embryonic stem cell research. Let’s see how balanced this discussion manages to be.

Cold feet

March 18, 2008 by Tanya Zaleski Leave a Comment

In the UK, there’s big debate over a new fertility bill. Here’s some recent news.

Among other things, the bill raises IVF issues like “savior siblings” (couples having a subsequent child as an organ or tissue donor for a sick older sibling) and animal-human hybrids.

Even Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, seems to have reservations. He has spoken of the human-animal hybrids on which Shipley is placing her hopes as a “step too far”, warning that even scientists feel a “degree of repugnance” at the idea.

It is too late for ministers to back down: the legislation was in the Queen’s speech and is strongly supported by Gordon Brown.

Too late for ministers to back down? These sound like the sentiments of an uncertain bride on her big day. Sure the guests have arrived and the caterer has been paid, but call the wedding off before making a big mistake!

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