Güterabwägungen und medizinethische Entscheidungen
Ausgabe: 2/2015
61. Jahrgang
Sind Parthenoten Embryonen? Zur biologischen und normativen Einordnung von menschlichen Parthenoten
Whether artificial human parthenotes constitute an embryo within the meaning of the (German) Embryo Protection Act (Embryonenschutzgesetz) and the (German) Stem Cell Act (Stammzellgesetz) is a highly contentious issue. Foreign legal systems also show a non-uniform approach towards the phenomenon of parthenogenesis. However, the CJEU recently allowed for national authorities and courts to exclude parthenotes from the scope of the European Biopatent Directives embryo definition. Against this background the biological theories of artificially induced mammal-parthenogenesis are described and it is examined, whether human parthenotes could be classified as embryos. Afterwards the legal situation in different countries is presented and the judgments of the CJEU regarding parthenotes are analysed and contrasted. The investigation of ontological assumptions leads to a comparison of human embryos and parthenotes. Furthermore the ethically adequate handling regarding human parthenotes is evaluated.
Zum vollständigen Artikel | Artikel bestellen