Human Stem Cells: Source of Hope and of Controversy - International Study
Bioethics Press, May 2005
A literature study of the real therapeutic possibilities of stem cells from different sources
An examination of the ethical issues associated with research and the use of human (embryonic) stem cells
An examination of the economic and ethical issues associated with the patenting and commercialization of the stem cell
A description of the present patenting regime in the USA and its problems when it comes to biomedical finding
On the basis of these chapters, the authors have formulated some main recommendations for policy(-makers) with respect to research on human (embryonic) stem cells and related patents.
Compiled from writers in Europe, the US, and Israel, this international study discusses the present day issues of human stem cell research and its ethical implications.
Preface
Chapter 1: Introduction and Recommendations
1 Background
2 Scope of this report
3 Main recommendations for public policy
Chapter 2: The Science of Stem Cells
Dr Elisa Garcia and Dr Henk Jochemsen
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1. What are stem cells?
1.2. Historical notes
1.3. Applications of stem cells
1.4. The actual state of ES stem cell research
2 SOURCES OF STEM CELLS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
2.1. Teratomas
2.2. Embryonic stem cells (ES)
2.2.1 Characteristics of embryonic stem cells
2.2.2 Potential applications of embryonic stem cells
2.2.3 Problems linked to ES cells
2.3. Germinal stem cells from aborted foetuses
2.3.1 Germinal stem cells
2.3.2 Therapeutic potential
2.4. Adult stem cells
2.4.1. General characteristics of adult stem cells
2.4.2 Sources of adult stem cells and their potential
2.4.3 Disadvantages of adult stem cells
2.5. Comparison between ES and adult stem cells
3 OTHER METHODS FOR OBTAINING STEM CELLS
3.1. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and its problems
3.2. Parthenogenesis
3.3. Gene therapy
3.4. Genetic reprogramming of adult cells
3.5. Other methods
4 CONCLUSIONS
Chapter 3: Ethics of stem cell research
Dr Elisa Garcia and Dr Henk Jochemsen
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is ethics?
1.2 Ethics and world view
1.3. The role of ethics in biotechnology
1.4. Ethical perspectives
1.5. Ethics of stem cell research
2 THE STATUS OF THE HUMAN EMBRYO
2.1 The issue
2.2. The European discussion on embryo research
2.2.1. The Council of Europe and embryo research
2.2.2 Embryo research in the European Union
2.3. Biological perspective
2.3.1 The beginning of a human embryo
2.3.2. Human embryo and human being
2.3.3 Human embryo and human individual
2.4. Philosophical considerations
2.4.1 The moral status of the embryo
2.4.2 A potential human being?
2.4.3 Individuality
2.4.4. Personhood
3 THE MORAL STATUS OF THE HUMAN BODY AND BODY PARTS
3.1. The issue of commodification
3.2. The status of the human body
3.2.1 The human body in relation to the human being/ person
3.2.2 Value of the human body
3.3. Human body parts as property
3.3.1. Property rights as a protection
3.3.2 Property rights and commodification of human body parts
3.3.3 Commodification of the body
3.4 Informed consent and use of body parts
3.4.1 European regulations
3.4.2 Trade and compensations
4 MORAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE USE OF STEM CELLS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES
4.1 Main problems and main principle
4.2. Embryonic stem cells
4.2.1. Introduction
4.2.2. Surplus IVF embryos
4.2.3. Embryos created for research
4.2.4. Clone embryos
4.3. Foetal stem cells
4.4. Adult stem cells
4.5. Ethics of parthenogenesis
4.6. Hybrids
4.7. Moral status of stem cells
4.8. Co-operation with a morally wrong act
5 COLLATERAL EFFECTS OF STEM CELL RESEARCH
5.1. Ethical price of omission
5.2 Devaluation of human life
5.3 Manipulation of human life
5.4. Harm to biotechnology and medicine
Chapter 4: Who owns my ideas about your body?
Dr. Asher Meir
1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION
2 PATENTS AND THEIR ETHICAL DIMENSION
2.1 The legal approach to patents
2.2 Nature of invention
2.3 Subject matter
2.4 Intended use
2.5 Natural law approach to patents
2.6 Nature of invention
2.7 Subject matter
2.8 Economic approach to patents
Human Stem Cells: A Source of Hope and of Controversy
3 HOW SCR PATENTS CAN BEST STIMULATE PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH
3.1 The problem with patents
3.2 How do SCR patents measure up?
Complacency
Inadequate protection
Patent races
Uncertain scope
Anticommons
Undesirable research protocols
3.3 Summary – effects of patents on research
4 IMPACT OF IP REGIME ON ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN STEM CELL RESEARCH
4.1. Introduction
4.2 Informed consent
4.3 The profit motive as an obstacle to informed consent
4.4 Eliminating the profit motive
4.5 Creating market incentives for informed consent
4.6 Encouraging ethical decision making
4.7 Inducement limited only at locus of donation
4.8 Payment to a third party
4.9 Non-demanding form of payment
4.10 Conclusion
5 INTRINSIC OBJECTIONS TO PROPERTY RIGHTS IN STEM CELL RESEARCH
5.1. Introduction
5.2 The commodification controversy
5.3 The roots of the commodification debate
5.4 Is commodification truly the ogre we fear?
5.5 Compensation and transformation of commodification
5.6 Importance of public debate
5.7 Conclusion
Chapter 5: Human embryonic stem cell patents in the USA
Ronald C. Harris, Jr. Esq.
1 INTRODUCTION
2 LEGAL HISTORY
3 PATENTS COVERING HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS
3.1. Claims that cover ‘primate’ and ‘human’ ES and EG cells
3.2. “Downstream” claims involving human ES or EG cells
4 PATENTS THAT ILLEGALLY EMBRACE HUMAN BEINGS
5 HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE MARKET
6 THE EU BIOTECH DIRECTIVE AS A MODEL FOR CROSS-NATIONAL SOLUTIONS
7 EUROPEAN MEASURES
8 CONCLUSION
The Authors
Dr. Elisa Garcia
Mr. Ronald C. Harris, Jr., Esq.
Dr. Henk Jochemsen
Dr. Asher Meir
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