What are the secular ethical arguments, pro and con?
There are many ethical arguments put forth both for and against the use of human embryonic stem cells for medical research. For example, Dr. Richard Hynes, professor of Biology at M.I.T., offered this testimony in favor of such research before a Senate subcommittee in September 2000: “[We] believe it would be immoral not to pursue embryonic stem cell research…because this research has such enormous potential to save human lives and to mitigate human suffering….Surely, we should take advantage of the enormous life-saving potential of the thousands of embryos that are currently frozen and destined for destruction….We owe it to all those who are suffering to explore all possible avenues that could lead to the prevention of, and remedies for, disease.” But the premise that because the need is great, the effort should be great and all possible avenues explored, is clearly not ethically valid. If an adult does not give consent to be an organ donor, for example, states do not presume th
