Resumo

HERNANDEZ RA, Porfirio. Ethical aspects in the use of stem cells. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.2. ISSN 0864-0289.

In the superior animals, the stem cells may be embryonary and somatic, or adults, according to their evolutive state. At present, there is an extraordinary polemic about the stem cells that should be used: the embryonary or the adults. Scientific, religious, social and political aspects have been included in this debate. An aspect of the scientific discussion is related to the tumour-producing capacity of the embryonary cells. It has also been stated that the benefits of the embryonary cells have been exaggerated, and that adult stem cells should be used instead, since they do not have ethical restrictions and do not generate tumours. From the ethical point of view, it has been explained that the use of human embryonary stem cells leads to the destruction of embryos and, as it is considered that life begins in the very moment the spermatozoid joins the ovule, it would mean the extermination of a life, which is something intolerable. Others do not agree with this criterion and express that their use to save lives by investigation or biopsy would be justified.   Recently, there have been obtained embryonary stem cells so-called “ethical stem cells”. This new method would eradicate the ethical dilemma of destroying embryos. Some have stated that these are preliminary and possibly exaggerated results, and that the efficiency of the method is very low, while others say that it is more ethical to work with embryos that will be destroyed anyway.

Palavras-chave : Ethics; stem cell; cloning; parthenogenesis; teratomas.