Avoiding the potentiality trap: thinking about the moral status of synthetic embryos

Piotrowska, Monika

doi:10.1007/s40592-019-00099-5

Cited by 12 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Since Dolly's birth, the cloned sheep, also implied the possibility of producing offspring through SCNT in humans (Table I), it was widely felt that fertilization could no longer be regarded as a necessary condition for embryo qualifications (Health Council of the Netherlands, 2005;Piotrowska, 2019). Countries that have maintained it while also ratifying the Oviedo Convention (which forbids creating human embryos for research (Council of Europe, 1997)), make themselves vulnerable to charges of duplicity, allowing them to appear supportive of embryo protection while giving free reign to SCNT-research (Beriain, 2014;Dondorp and de Wert, 2017).…”

Section: Conditions For Embryo Conceptualizations: Fertilization and Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling human embryogenesis: embryo-like structures spark ethical and policy debate

Popovic

Wert

Bustos

et al. 2020

Human Reproduction Update

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BACKGROUND Studying the human peri-implantation period remains hindered by the limited accessibility of the in vivo environment and scarcity of research material. As such, continuing efforts have been directed towards developing embryo-like structures (ELS) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) that recapitulate aspects of embryogenesis in vitro. While the creation of such models offers immense potential for studying fundamental processes in both pre- and early post-implantation development, it also proves ethically contentious due to wide-ranging views on the moral and legal reverence due to human embryos. Lack of clarity on how to qualify and regulate research with ELS thus presents a challenge in that it may either limit this new field of research without valid grounds or allow it to develop without policies that reflect justified ethical concerns. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing scientific approaches to generate ELS from mouse and human PSCs, as well as discuss future strategies towards innovation in the context of human development. Concurrently, we aim to set the agenda for the ethical and policy issues surrounding research on human ELS. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database was used to search peer-reviewed articles and reviews using the following terms: ‘stem cells’, ‘pluripotency’, ‘implantation’, ‘preimplantation’, ‘post-implantation’, ‘blastocyst’, ‘embryoid bodies’, ‘synthetic embryos’, ‘embryo models’, ‘self-assembly’, ‘human embryo-like structures’, ‘artificial embryos’ in combination with other keywords related to the subject area. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were also used to systematically search publications on the ethics of ELS and human embryo research by using the aforementioned keywords in combination with ‘ethics’, ‘law’, ‘regulation’ and equivalent terms. All relevant publications until December 2019 were critically evaluated and discussed. OUTCOMES In vitro systems provide a promising way forward for uncovering early human development. Current platforms utilize PSCs in both two- and three-dimensional settings to mimic various early developmental stages, including epiblast, trophoblast and amniotic cavity formation, in addition to axis development and gastrulation. Nevertheless, much hinges on the term ‘embryo-like’. Extension of traditional embryo frameworks to research with ELS reveals that (i) current embryo definitions require reconsideration, (ii) cellular convertibility challenges the attribution of moral standing on the basis of ‘active potentiality’ and (iii) meaningful application of embryo protective directives will require rethinking of the 14-day culture limit and moral weight attributed to (non-)viability. Many conceptual and normative (dis)similarities between ELS and embryos thus remain to be thoroughly elucidated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Modelling embryogenesis holds vast potential for both human developmental biology and understanding various etiologies associated with infertility. To date, ELS have been shown to recapitulate several aspects of peri-implantation development, but critically, cannot develop into a fetus. Yet, concurrent to scientific innovation, considering the extent to which the use of ELS may raise moral concerns typical of human embryo research remains paramount. This will be crucial for harnessing the potential of ELS as a valuable research tool, whilst remaining within a robust moral and legal framework of professionally acceptable practices.

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Section: Conditions For Embryo Conceptualizations: Fertilization and Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If, as in alternative definitions, it suffices that the relevant entity has the potential for embryo-like development, it becomes a matter for debate whether certain ELS qualify as such (Piotrowska, 2019). In Australia, for instance, PASE, gastruloids and ETS/X constructs might, whereas blastoids might not (Table I).…”

Section: Are Els Embryos?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling human embryogenesis: embryo-like structures spark ethical and policy debate

Popovic

Wert

Bustos

et al. 2020

Human Reproduction Update

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“…With some exceptions, early conceptual scholarship about these issues has focused predominately on gastruloids, brain organoids, and intestinal organoids ( Boers and Bredenoord, 2018 ; Boers, et al, 2019 ; Hyun, 2017 ). Deliberations about gastruloids have in large part interrogated their moral status and potential relationship to embryo development and questioned the appropriateness of existing regulations or policies regarding this work ( Hyun, 2017 ; Hyun et al., 2020a ; Munsie et al., 2017 ; Pera et al., 2015 ; Pereira Daoud et al., 2020 ; Piotrowska, 2020 ). Discussions about brain organoids have engaged such issues as sentience and the ethical permissibility of pursuing advanced brain models ( National Institutes of Health, 2018 ; Sawai et al., 2019 ; Hyun et al, 2020b ; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patients' perspectives on the derivation and use of organoids

et al. 2021

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Summary Organoid research is enhancing understanding of human development and diseases as well as aiding in medication development and selection, raising hopes for even more future therapeutic options. Nevertheless, this work raises important ethical issues and there is a paucity of data regarding patients' perspectives on them. We report on 60 interviews with adult patients or parents of pediatric patients from diverse disease populations who receive medical care at a major academic research institution in the United States. Interviewees expressed broad support for organoid development and use. However, patients viewed brain organoids, and sometimes gonadal organoids, as morally distinct; and some organoid research poses moral concerns. Nonetheless, patients generally understood the potential value of such research and approved of it, provided it was aimed at good intent and conducted with ethical oversight and a robust consent process. These data should help inform conceptual and policy deliberations about appropriate organoid use.

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“…In this eventuality, the question may arise as to how one ought to distinguish the moral and legal status of blastoids and blastocysts, and therefore how to distinguish and regulate blastoid research as distinct from blastocyst research. Of course, the reliability of claims of the functional equivalence of blastoids to blastocysts in terms of their developmental capacity may also be an ethical issue in itself (Piotrowska, 2020 ).…”

Section: A Question Of Equivalencementioning

confidence: 99%