Debating Embryonic Stem Cell Research : Handling Moral Concerns More Gently

• This is not a contribution to the polarised embryo debate but an attempt to understand its obstinacy. Instead of aiming towards the “correct” ethical position on the permissibility of embryonic stem cell research, this chapter examines an assumption on which the debate is based. This is the assumption that moral concerns about embryo destruction arise from doctrines about embryos, from beliefs that make these concerns reasonable. This epistemic interpretation of moral concerns produces the target at which debaters aim: which one of the competing doctrines can be demonstrated to be the logically coherent and true one? Through a combination of fresh examples and alert attention to familiar facts – inspired by Wittgenstein’s emphasis on producing an understanding that consists in “seeing connections” – this chapter indicates a less intellectual origin of moral concerns: in human sensitivities towards existence that, to distinguish them from beliefs and doctrines, could be called “ways of relating to life”. After indicating how the rigid intellectual target of the debate is a mirage, the chapter concludes by briefly indicating a gentler approach to people’s moral concerns.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Miljöbioteknik -- Bioteknisk etik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Biotechnology -- Bioethics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Perspicuous representation

Embryonic stem cell research

Moral concerns

Embryo debate

Bioethics

Gentle communication

Etik

Ethics

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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