On the origin, use and destination of human embryos

Center of Ethics and Philosophy, VU Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.vanleeuwen@vumc.nl

The moral acceptability or non-acceptability of the use of human embryos in research raises questions on several philosophical levels. The mixing-up of these levels results in strongly defended and endless debates. In this contribution, arguments on three levels will be discussed, the ontological, the practical and instrumental and the level of human relationships. It is concluded that, on the latter level, the moral problems of the other two are significant, but not conclusive. The decision to allow or to ban research with human embryos is charged with full human responsibility.