The ethical debate on the importation of human embryonic cells in Germany

Abstract

From his early years the human person sought in finding and exploring the world around him. As years passed, new developments emerged thanks to such an interest in such different phenomena's. This also happened in the medical sector. Stem cells were discovered around fifty years ago by a so called Stevens. However none of them managed to keep such cells alive for a long period of time. It was Thomson who isolated these cells and managed to keep them alive back in 1998. This breakthrough in the medical sector attracted both the media and researchers and thus the debate was opened up. There are three sources from which human stem cells can be derived mainly being out of adults, embryos or umbilical cords. However the most promising out of all the three are those which are derived from human embryos. This has lead to a larger ethical debate all over the world. Many were those which became interested in such an advance. All this interest in these kinds of stem cells is expected since this is not something which is detached from us; such an issue on the other hand affects us all since, at some point in time either our loved one or even ourselves can be faced with the decision of making use of such cells. Stem cells are believed to cure certain terminal illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and leukaemia. Thus, it is of an utmost importance that people are familiar with such a debate so that when they are faced with this problem they can take the best decision for themselves. Countries got interested in this issue even those who have restrictive regulations on the embryo protection. This is due to the fact that all want to make use of these benefits provided by these stem cells. Thus they have tried to find a happy medium between the two extremes. Between those who totally oppose to research on the human embryo and those who are completely in favour of conducting research on these human embryonic stem cells. Germany was one of these countries. Even though there are strict regulations on the protection of the embryo, Germany did not want to risk not taking part in the benefits which are derived out of such research. Yet again there were those who were against this, while others supported it. The objective of my dissertation is to try and find an answer to this ethical debate, on the importation of human embryos in Germany. I will first explain what stem cells actually are. Since for one to get a grasp of what the whole debate is about there needs to be a clear understanding of how such cells are isolated. Then, I will look at the German law to see why such a country decided on importing (human embryonic stem cell lines) and whether or not there were any problems on taking such a decision. Germany does not allow any killing of human embryos in its country; however the law states quite differently when it regards importations form other countries. The ethical debate surrounding such a topic plays an important role in all of this. Thus, in my third chapter I will take a look at the different positions regarding such a debate. So to concentrate on what the Catholic Church says is of utmost importance to try and find a compromise on what is ethically wrong on importing human embryos. The aim of the fourth chapter is to discuss the problem of co-operation in evil which plays such an important role in the whole argument. Is Germany actually co-operating in evil and if so in what way? Finally, I will be looking whether or not certain alternatives are available, and if so how similar are they to human embryonic stem cells?