Abstract
The moral status of the human embryo has gained much attention in debates over the acceptability, or otherwise, of human embryonic stem cell research. Far less attention has been paid to the suppliers of those embryos: people who have undergone IVF treatment to produce embryos to assist them to have a baby. It is sociologically and ethically important to understand their views and experiences of being asked to donate embryos for research if we are to fully understand the wider social and regulatory aspects of hESC science. This paper reports on parallel studies investigating these issues in the UK and in Switzerland. The studies reveal the inextricable entangling of the social and moral status of embryos. Since donors participate in different discursive domains and contexts (public, clinic, family) that shape their perception of "what" an embryo is, their views of embryos embody conflicting ideas and ambivalences.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | New Genetics and Society |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 113-126 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISSN | 1463-6778 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 06.2008 |
Funding
Erica Haimes acknowledges the financial support of the Wellcome Trust, and the contributions of Jacquelyne Luce, Susan Dowdle, Ken Taylor, the clinical staff and the interviewees to the UK research. The Swiss team acknowledge the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Fondation Brocher, and Peter Bürkli, Franziska Genitsch, Gaia Barazzetti, the clinical staff, and their interviewees. The authors thank the three anonymous referees for their comments.
Research Areas and Centers
- Research Area: Center for Cultural Studies (ZKFL)
