In an era of such artificial methods of reproduction, "high-tech" baby manufacturing seems to have become another flourishing industry. The institution of fetal cell therapy, the shortage of donor organs for transplantation, and the craze for pre-selection of the sex of developing fetuses may further encourage research on human embryos that may end up in eugenic manipulation, inter-species fertilization, or the growing of fetuses to the stage of organ development for transplantation.
The recent restrictions imposed by the Council of Europe on such activities (The Scientist, October 20, 1986, p. 8) indirectly support the possibility of such abuse. Apart from being judged on sound scientific understanding, human embryo research must be governed by elements of human belief, values and social factors.
The human embryo bears the blueprint of human life. Research must not threaten that future life. One can create babies through such methods, but one cannot instill emotions and ...
