Main description:

The central question of this book is whether or not particular cell entities of human origin ought to be considered human beings. The answer is crucial for making moral decisions for or against research and experimentation. Experts in the field discuss the production of embryonic-like pluripotent stem cells by altered nuclear transfer, parthenogenesis and reprogramming of adult somatic cells. They thoroughly analyse the biological and moral status of different cell entities, such as human stem cells, embryos and human-animal hybrid embryos, and make a decisive step towards establishing final criteria for what constitutes a human being. The topic is challenging in nature and of broad interest to all those concerned with current bioethical thought on embryonic human life and its implications for society.

Contents:

Chapter 1

Introduction

Joachim Huarte and Antoine Suarez

Chapter 2

Breakthrough in stem cell research?

The reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells. Overview and outlook.

Boris Greber and Hans Schoeler

Chapter 3

Pre-implantation stages of human development: the biological and moral status of early embryos

Maureen Condic

Chapter 4

Complete moles and parthenotes are not organisms

Nicanor Austriaco

Chapter 5

Embryos grown in culture deserve the same moral status as embryos after implantation.

Joachim Huarte and Antoine Suarez

Chapter 6

Distinguishing embryos from non-embryos

Patrick Lee

Chapter 7

Is the human embryo a person? On the status of cell entities produced through ANT

Pablo Requena

Chapter 8

Does a human being have a right to life?

The debate on embryo research in Germany as a case study

Manfred Spieker

Chapter 9

Interspecies mixtures and the status of humanity.

Neville Cobbe

Chapter 10

The boundaries of humanity: the ethics of human-animal chimeras in cloning and stem cell research.

William Hurlbut

Chapter 11

Is this cell entity a human being?

Neural activity, spiritual soul, and the status of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Antoine Suarez