Abstract

FRIAS, Lincoln Thadeu Gouvêa de. A moralidade do descarte e da seleção de embriões. Educação e Filosofia [online]. 2012, vol.26, n.51, pp.207-229. ISSN 1982-596X.

The paper discusses the major moral questions raised (1) by the discarding of embryos for research with embryonic stem cells and for in vitro fertilization and (2) by the selection of embryos using preimplantation genetic diagnosis. After presenting the main theories about the moral status of the embryo, it is argued that human embryos have no right to life - although they must be treated with respect. Next, the review of the four main arguments against the selection of embryos led to the conclusion that they are not sufficient to justify the prohibition of this technology. Finally, some very controversial applications of this technology are presented and the question of the most appropriate moral principle to determine which embryos should be implanted is briefly discussed.

Keywords : Embryos; Selection; Discard; Genetics; Ethics.

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