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The Embryonic Stem Cell Lottery and the Cannibalization of Human Beings

Julian Savulescu
University of Oxford - Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics

Bioethics, Vol. 16, pp. 508-529, 2002

Abstract:
One objection to embryonic stem (ES) cell research is that it 'cannibalizes' human beings, that is, kills some human beings to benefit others. I grant for argument's sake that the embryo is a person. Nonetheless, killing it may be justified. I show this through the Embryonic Stem Cell Lottery. Whether killing a person is justified depends on: (1) whether innocent people at risk of being killed for ES cell research also stand to benefit from the research and (2) whether their overall chances of living are higher in a world in which killing and ES cell research is conducted. I call this kind of killing 'risk reductive.'

Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: December 12, 2003 ; Last revised: January 12, 2004

Suggested Citation

Savulescu, Julian, The Embryonic Stem Cell Lottery and the Cannibalization of Human Beings. Bioethics, Vol. 16, pp. 508-529, 2002. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=342513

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Julian Savulescu (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics ( email )

10 Merton Street
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+44 1865 276932 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/juliansavulescu.html