The Cultural, Ethical and Spiritual Aspects of Using Human Embryos for Research

This booklet aims to encourage discussion

This booklet aims to encourage discussion about the use of embryos for research. This is important because the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) will be advising the Minister about embryo research. You can find their discussion papers and make a submission direct to ACART through their website.

Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council’s job is to get people thinking and talking and to encourage them to get involved.

Current use of embryos in New Zealand

This booklet relates to research done in the laboratory rather than research involving pregnant women.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is used to create embryos to help people with fertility problems to have a baby.

Embryos remaining at the end of IVF treatment could be used for research purposes. Alternatively, embryos could be created for research purposes by using donated eggs and sperm or by using a form of “cloning” (somatic cell nuclear transfer or SCNT).

People have very different views about the status of human embryos and the use of embryos in research.

People also see differences between:

• What we are able to do with embryos.
• What we should do with them.

These are complex issues and people may disagree about them, but all views are worthy of respect.

Your views matter even if you have never thought about these issues before.

More information about embryos is available through our website.

A web-based discussion forum will be held from mid-August.  We invite you to join this discussion and let your voice be heard.

Dr Martin Wilkinson
Acting Chair
Toi Te Taiao: The Bioethics Council

The Big Picture

With complicated issues, we can end up discussing a single aspect or example.

But our thoughts on the small details are guided by big issues like these:

• Some people see embryos as being entitled to special respect.
• Some people believe embryos are persons and so should not be destroyed during research.
• Some people believe that it might be acceptable to use embryos in some situations if there is a possibility of improved health or human understanding.
• Some people believe that embryos are a collection of cells that deserve no special respect.

Ways of understanding the world

There are different ways of understanding the world, including scientific, cultural, ethical and spiritual viewpoints.

• What sorts of values and beliefs are important when thinking about the possible uses of human embryos?
• What factors do we think about when deciding which uses of embryos are acceptable?
• Who should decide such matters?

Background

What is a human embryo?

• An egg cell that has just been fertilised is called a zygote (see diagram 1).
• Nine weeks after fertilisation it is called a foetus.
• The term embryo is often used to refer to any stage of development from 0 to 8 weeks after fertilisation. We will use this definition here.
• At about 15 days after fertilisation the “primitive streak” which is the beginning of the human nervous system appears.
• In New Zealand it is illegal  to allow an embryo to continue to develop outside a woman beyond 14 days after its formation. This means that research using embryos must only take place in the first 14 days of development.

Diagram 1: Sexual reproduction

Where would embryos for research come from?

IVF

The embryos could come from the embryos that have not been implanted and are stored frozen at fertility clinics after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures have finished.

Some of these frozen embryos could be used by scientists to do research.

In New Zealand embryos that are not implanted in a woman can only be stored for 10 years. After 10 years the embryos must be destroyed if they are not used in research or donated to another woman.

Donated sperm and eggs

People could donate sperm and eggs so embryos could be created for research.

Cloning

Embryos could be made by cloning. Two types of cloning are:

Reproductive cloning

Reproductive cloning would result in a new human being whose DNA is identical to the original person. Cloning to produce a baby is illegal in New Zealand.

Therapeutic cloning (SCNT or research cloning)

This starts with the same procedure as used in reproductive cloning (see diagram 2).

The embryo would be allowed to grow for around seven days. Its stem cells would then be removed and encouraged to grow into human tissue to be used for transplantation and medical treatment.

The end result would not be a human being; it would be a piece of nerve tissue, quantity of skin or a replacement organ.

More information about stem cells is available on our website.

Diagram 2: Cloning or asexual reproduction

Examples of Embryo Research

Research using embryos is fast moving. A wide range of possible therapies has been suggested. Many of the potential treatments will not be available for a number of years.

Some types of research using embryos are:

• Research into how certain diseases, such as cancer, develop.
• Research into how the human embryo develops could help us to understand what causes miscarriages or birth disorders in children.
• Human embryonic stem cells might be used to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, or people with spinal injuries.

Issues to think about

There are a range of viewpoints about using embryos for research ranging from strong opposition, to strong support. Of course, many people hold views between these positions.

People have different views about embryos that affect whether they think it is ethical to use them for research.

Some of these views are:

• They are just a collection of cells.
• They are human.
• They are entitled to the same respect as persons and, in particular, to a right to life.
• They have the potential to become human in the future.
• They aren’t human until they are born.
• They become human at some other stage of pregnancy.      

Depending on their views about embryos, some possible opinions are:

• That creating embryos and/or performing experiments on existing embryos is justifiable if there a reasonable chance of saving lives or reducing human pain or suffering.
• That IVF embryos should only be used for research related to infertility.
• That it is more acceptable to use embryos created by cloning or by using donated eggs and sperm, because they were never intended to become a child.
• That unused IVF embryos should be available for research so long as the “parents” agree, because the embryos must be destroyed after 10 years anyway.
• That whakapapa respects the relationships between generations. Genetic research could disturb these connections and disrupt the natural order.
• That people have a right to decide for themselves about the fate of their embryos.

Opinions

These are some opinions of New Zealanders. What do you want to say?

• It’s not just about science. There’s more than one way of understanding the world. We need to have a conversation about these issues without making up our minds before we start.
• People are concerned about embryos, but when they realise the possibility of curing or preventing diseases they see the value of the research. How can you oppose something that might save lives or reduce suffering?
• My son has cystic fibrosis. We love him and value his life but we would not choose to have another child with this condition. We would rather test our embryos before implantation than have to undergo a termination during pregnancy.
• Unused IVF embryos are going to be destroyed after 10 years anyway, so why not put them to good use?
• It’s important to have diversity in society and people with disabilities have much to offer.
• I’m concerned that if we say embryos are people then that would mean that abortion would have to be banned and that women’s freedoms would be affected.
• I think it’s a matter for the people who provided the eggs and sperm to decide what should happen to their embryos.
• I think we should be careful not to interfere with nature too much.
• It’s like playing God, but unlike God, humans don’t know everything.

Have your say

The Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) will advise the Minister on assisted reproductive procedures and human reproductive research.

ACART must give interested parties and members of the public a reasonable opportunity to make submissions. You can find their discussion papers and make a submission direct to ACART through their website.

Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council

Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council was established by the Government in 2002, following a recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Genetic Modification. Its purpose is to consider the cultural, ethical and spiritual issues raised by biotechnology. In this role Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council provides information, promotes and participates in public discussion and gives advice to government.

This discussion document is about using human embryos for research. Toi Te Taiao: The Bioethics Council will be promoting discussion about many other aspects of biotechnology including neuroscience, genetic testing and nanotechnology (the science of tiny “machines” the size of molecules).

Join the discussion

Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council wants to hear from a wide range of New Zealanders. Your thoughts, feelings, and questions are valuable.

• Stay in touch with Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council by visiting our website. Register your interest and we’ll let you know about activities and publications.

To have your say about the use of human embryos for research:

• Visit the website for the results of focus group research, and some in-depth discussions and links to more of the science.
• Join the embryo email discussion group. This will run from mid-August. To register, visit www.bioethics.org.nz.
• Check the newspapers and major magazines for coverage of issues related to the use of embryos for research.
• Get together whanau, friends or workmates and have a discussion. Our website has links to ideas on running dialogue groups. Your group might decide to make a submission.
• Make a written submission to the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) through their website.

For general information, web links, resources and the latest news, visit the Bioethics Council’s website.

Embryo Project
Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council
PO Box 10362
Wellington.
www.bioethics.org.nz