Tetraploide Komplementierung von iPS-Zellen: Implikationen für das Potenzialitätsargument

Stier Marco

Abstract

Definition of the Problem: The argument from potentiality (PA) is probably the most important argument forwarded against embryo research or abortion. According to the PA, human embryos as potential persons already possess the same moral status as persons do. With the methodology to derive "ethically unproblematic" induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from differentiated somatic cells, researchers seemed able to circumvent the PA problem. Argument: There are new scientific insights showing that even pluripotent cells can give rise to new organisms. Hence, it is argued in this paper that, along the lines of the PA, not only iPS cells themselves but even the somatic cells from which they are developed would have to count as potential persons possessing dignity and a right to life. Conclusion: However, based on these implications, the PA does not qualify as an argument for a right to life for human embryos either. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.