Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Beyond the 'embryo question'
T2 - human embryonic stem cell ethics in the context of biomaterial donation in the UK
AU - Bahadur, G
AU - Morrison, M
AU - Machin, L
N1 - Copyright © 2010 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PY - 2010/12
Y1 - 2010/12
N2 - Discussion about the ethics of human embryonic stem cell (ESC) research in the UK tends to be dominated by the divisive and potentially intractable issue of the moral status of the embryo. This can have the effect of silencing or marginalizing other concerns, especially in the context of public engagement with science in this field. One such area of potential public concern is the donation of oocytes and embryos to stem cell research. Contemporary research on the views of donors and potential donors about a wide range of biomaterials, from solid organs to gametes and bone marrow, is reviewed and used to illustrate the range and types of ethical concerns articulated by this important group of stakeholders. Attitudes to donation are found to vary according to the type of tissue being donated or collected, the purpose for which donation is being sought and the nature of the recipient of the donation. Pertinently, attitudes towards donating oocytes are found to differ in some respects from donation of embryos or fetal tissue. The implications of these findings for ensuring ethically robust informed consent and publicly acceptable sourcing of human biomaterials for stem cell research are then considered.
AB - Discussion about the ethics of human embryonic stem cell (ESC) research in the UK tends to be dominated by the divisive and potentially intractable issue of the moral status of the embryo. This can have the effect of silencing or marginalizing other concerns, especially in the context of public engagement with science in this field. One such area of potential public concern is the donation of oocytes and embryos to stem cell research. Contemporary research on the views of donors and potential donors about a wide range of biomaterials, from solid organs to gametes and bone marrow, is reviewed and used to illustrate the range and types of ethical concerns articulated by this important group of stakeholders. Attitudes to donation are found to vary according to the type of tissue being donated or collected, the purpose for which donation is being sought and the nature of the recipient of the donation. Pertinently, attitudes towards donating oocytes are found to differ in some respects from donation of embryos or fetal tissue. The implications of these findings for ensuring ethically robust informed consent and publicly acceptable sourcing of human biomaterials for stem cell research are then considered.
KW - Bioethical Issues
KW - Embryo, Mammalian
KW - Embryonic Stem Cells
KW - Female
KW - Government Regulation
KW - Great Britain
KW - Humans
KW - Living Donors
KW - Male
KW - Morals
KW - Motivation
KW - Oocyte Donation
KW - Public Policy
KW - Stem Cell Research
KW - Tissue and Organ Procurement
KW - Transplantation
U2 - 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.10.001
DO - 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.10.001
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 21112540
VL - 21
SP - 868
EP - 874
JO - Reproductive BioMedicine Online
JF - Reproductive BioMedicine Online
SN - 1472-6491
IS - 7
ER -