Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-xfwgj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-15T19:25:38.367Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

1 - Introduction: An outline of scientific aspects of embryo research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Karen Dawson
Affiliation:
Monash University
Peter Singer
Affiliation:
Monash University, Victoria
Helga Kuhse
Affiliation:
Monash University, Victoria
Stephen Buckle
Affiliation:
Monash University, Victoria
Karen Dawson
Affiliation:
Monash University, Victoria
Pascal Kasimba
Affiliation:
Monash University, Victoria
Get access

Summary

The in vitro fertilization of a human egg made it technically possible for the very early human embryo to be used in research, and initiated controversy about whether such research is morally acceptable. In any debate it is important that those interested be able to argue their case from an informed position. In debate about the ethics of human embryo research, arguing from an informed position requires a background knowledge in science, philosophy and law. Some of the central questions to be considered with regard to scientific aspects of this debate include: Is it necessary to use human embryos in research? Why is this research carried out by the scientists? What is the current state of human embryo research? What potential does embryo research offer the scientist in the investigation of problems not able to be studied previously? What are the present limitations to human embryo research? The chapters in Part 1 of this book are concerned with these questions.

IVF provides a unique opportunity for the study of human reproduction and early development, with far-ranging implications for the treatment of infertility and for other areas of research. There are several major areas of research dependent on embryo experimentation in which our present knowledge of this field is being used and added to. These areas are the development of new approaches to contraception, the increased understanding of the mechanisms and diagnosis of infertility, the improvement of the treatment of infertility by IVF and the prenatal detection of genetic and congenital abnormalities.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×