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This is nothing new -- that's what all the debate on stem cell research is about. It should be noted that the term "viable" is used in a theoretical sense; thes
by lunchbox 18y ago
This is nothing new -- that's what all the debate on stem cell research is about. It should be noted that the term "viable" is used in a theoretical sense; these embryos would never actually become humans. Embryos are usually obtained from places like in-vitro fertilization clinics, where they would otherwise be thrown in the trash. I say, why not use them for life-saving research?
- dhimes 18y agoIt's nevertheless quite a sensitive issue. I actually reconsidered before posting. But this is a pretty good community for these things generally (until the trolls show up...), so I went ahead.
- wensing 18y agothese embryos would never actually become humans I think you must mean something else. My son and daughter were embryos once; what were they if not human?
- lunchbox 18y ago"these embryos" means the ones that are used to do stem cell research. As I said, mainly discarded from IVF clinics.
- wensing 18y agoGot that part. I was just challenging your statement that they "would never actually become humans" with the fact that anything of the homo sapien species is human, which of course would include the embryos. Just like dog embryos are very young dogs, and cat embryos are very young cats. 'Embryo' is just one stage of a single line of development.
- lunchbox 18y agoOK. But this is quickly progressing into heavy moral/philosophical territory -- we should probably stop here.
- wensing 18y agoIt is definitely heavy. Can do.
- gjm11 18y agoThe trouble is that "human" is a very ambiguous word. If a "human" is a living organism made out of cells with DNA typical of humans, then certainly embryos are humans. If a "human" is a thinking, language-using, tool-using bipedal mammal, then certainly embryos are not humans (but neither are 3-month-old babies). There's nothing wrong with that ... except that most of us have strongly held beliefs about "humans", which don't necessarily come with precise definitions of "human" attached to them.