Time to rethink the law on part-human chimeras. Issue 1 (15th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koplin, Julian J; Savulescu, Julian
• Is Part Of: Journal of law and the biosciences. Volume 6:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2019-05-15
• Subjects: stem cell research and practice -- chimera -- moral status; Life sciences -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Science and law -- Periodicals; Law and biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Bioethics -- Periodicals; 344.0957
• DOI: 10.1093/jlb/lsz005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-9711

Abstract

Abstract: It may soon be possible to generate human tissues and organs inside of part-human chimeras via a technique known as interspecies blastocyst complementation. Using Australian legislation as a case study, we show why this technique of creating part-human chimeras falls within the gaps of existing legislation. We give an overview of the key ethical issues raised by part-human chimera research, and we describe how well these issues are met by a range of possible regulatory approaches. We ultimately argue that regulation of part-human chimera research should be (re)designed to balance two key aims: to facilitate ethical research involving part-human chimeras and to prevent unethical experimentation with chimeras that have an uncertain—and potentially substantial—degree of moral status.