Developments in Biotechnology: Ethical Perspectives

In 1975, a U.S. group, the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, published a study concerning research on fetuses resulting from abortions. The study group from the United States for the most part rejected non-therapeutic research on fetuses in the uterus or outside the uterus. However, it provided for exceptions to this norm if a special approval be given by a review board and the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. This study group completed its work in 1975, before the potential for generating embryos outside the womb was developed. Thus, they were not concerned with the topic of our study. However, the recommendations of the Committee were rendered moot as a result of the ban on federal funding for research on living fetuses resulting from a Presidential order.

“Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Human Fertilization and Embryology,” Department of Health and Social Security, London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, July, 1984.

“Human Embryo Experimentation in Australia,” Senate Select Committee on Human Embryo Experimentation Bill, Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1986.

“Toward an International Ethic for Research with Human Beings,” International Summit Conference on Bioethics, Medical Research Council, Ottawa, Canada, 1988.

“Europe Split on Embryo Research,” Dickson David Science, v. 242, p. 1117; Nov. 25, 1988.

“Human Embryo Experimentation in Australia,” p. 7.

Davies David Nature v. 320, 20 March 1986, p. 208.

“Human Embryo Experimentation in Australia,” p. 25.

“Human Embryo Experimentation in Australia,”, p. 8.

“The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects Research”. The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. DHEW Publication, No. (05)78-0012; 1978, p. 2.

“Summary Report of International Bioethics Summit Conference;” Bulletin, Institute of Medical Ethics, May, 1987, supplement n. 6.

Op. cit., p. xiv, n. 8.

Loc. cit.

Warnock Mary “The Warnock Report,” British Medical Journal, vol. 291, 20 July, 1985, p. 197.

Doc. cit.

Op. cit.

“Declaration of Helsinki,” 1964 and 1975, World Medical Association, cf. Encyclopedia of Bioethics, IV, p. 1769.

United Nations, 1948.

Cf. “Nuremburg Code,” 1946; “Responsibility in Investigations on Human Subjects,” (Great Britain) 1963; “Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Investigation”, A.M.A., 1966; Encyclopedia of Bioethics, New York: The Free Press, 1978; p. 1764ff.

Anderson S. Arhaus University Denmark; quoted in News and Comment, Science, Nov. 25, 1988, p. 1117.

The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide (New York: Basic Books), 1986.