What ethical concerns are linked to the use of cloned embryonic stem cells?
The use of cloned embryonic stem cells requires the creation of a human life solely for the purpose of lethal scientific experimentation, and therefore, carries serious ethical implications. Furthermore, regulations ensuring that these cloned human embryos will not be implanted in the womb to birth a human clone would be impossible to enforce. How will a human cloning ban affect the use of cloned embryonic stem cells? Cloned human embryonic stem cell research is the only type of stem cell research prohibited by a human cloning ban. Embryonic Stem Cells Embryonic stem cells are derived from the human embryos created for infertile couples at in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. In the laboratory, IVF clinics unite sperm from the father and an egg from the mother to create a child to implant in the mother’s womb. Some parents decide not to implant and birth all their embryonic children; these “left-over embryos” may be placed for adoption, disposed of, or donated to research. In order to
