Human procreation in unchartered territory: New twists in ethical discussions

Abstract

Since their validation in mammals, there have been profound ethical discussions on the possible applications of somatic cell nuclear transfer, human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells to reproductive medicine. This has been the case whether these technologies were considered as direct (i.e. when procreation is the ultimate goal) or indirect applications. In most countries, the majority of these approaches have been either stringently regulated, or regulation has been strongly and consensually suggested. However, this is not necessarily the case for possibilities such as same-sex chimaeras or the direct differentiation of gametes from somatic cells, skipping a pluripotent cell intermediate. The author suggests that the field of reproductive medicine should be more proactive in discussing both current and emerging developments with possible implications for human reproduction, even those reaching beyond current paradigms. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved.