Human Embryo, Animal Embryo, Chimerical Embryo: What Legal Status in French Law?

LSU Law Center Journal of Civil Law Studies, Vol. 1, 2008

28 Pages Posted: 27 Apr 2010

See all articles by Laurence Brunet

Laurence Brunet

Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne

Sonia Desmoulin

Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne

Date Written: 2008

Abstract

The authors consider French law applicable to human and animal embryos, and hence reflect on the status of chimerical embryos. This paper takes readers to the boundaries of the human species. French law is silent on chimerical embryos, combining human and animal genetic material. The authors go beyond the taboos to explore possible solutions offered by intellectual property. They make reference to the civilian rules concerning “principal and accessories” or composite things. The authors note that the range of genomic mixtures leads to infinite questions, which all too often are ignored by lawyers. The paper is fertile in triggering possible answers.

Keywords: French Law, Persons, Things, Civil Law, Human Embryos, Animal Embryos, Chimerical Embryos

Suggested Citation

Brunet, Laurence and Desmoulin, Sonia, Human Embryo, Animal Embryo, Chimerical Embryo: What Legal Status in French Law? (2008). LSU Law Center Journal of Civil Law Studies, Vol. 1, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1595029

Laurence Brunet (Contact Author)

Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne

17, rue de la Sorbonne
Paris, IL 75005
France

Sonia Desmoulin

Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne

17, rue de la Sorbonne
Paris, IL 75005
France

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