新興人體胚胎研究技術、 十四天規則和胚胎的特殊地位

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English ; abstract also in Chinese. 胚胎研究的＂十四天規則＂已經在國際上實施了幾十年。當前，很多科學家正在挑戰這一限制，因為技術進步使得人類胚胎和胚胎的細胞模型可以培養到其早期發育階段的後期。一些學者質疑人們長期以來持有的胚胎研究應該受到限制的信念，即超過十四天的胚胎研究是不道德的，他們開始提出替代性指導方針。本文通過回顧“十四天規則”的歷史和受這一規則影響的新興研究領域的情況，審查一項新的關於人類胚胎和類胚胎的指南。我們表明社會和政治哲學、形而上學和倫理學所關注的問題對於解釋和應用新的建議或開發替代方案具有核心作用。至關重要的是，科學家在突破十四天的限制去做任何研究之前，應該制訂明確的、深思熟慮的、且有文化敏感性的指導方針，包括具體限制和監督程式，以確保科學能夠適當地回應社會的需求和價值判斷。 After 40 years of abiding by an international guideline that barred human embryo research beyond day 14 of embryonic development, many scientists are now challenging this limit due to technological advances suggesting that embryos and cell-based models of embryos can be cultured to later points in early development. Some scholars have questioned the long-held belief that research beyond 14 days is unethical and have begun proposing alternative guidelines for research. In this paper, we examine a proposal for new human embryo and embryoid guidelines by reviewing the history of the 14-day limit and emerging areas of research that are impacted by these guidelines. We then show how social and political philosophy, metaphysics, and ethics are central to interpreting and applying these new recommendations or developing alternatives. Before conducting any research beyond day 14, scientists must develop clear, thoughtful, and culturally sensitive guidelines that include limitations and oversight procedures to ensure that science responds to societal needs and values.