Bioethical implications of research on embryonic stem-cells

Authors

  • Adriana Silva Barbosa Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
  • Patrícia Anjos Lima de Carvalho Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
  • Luciano Nery Ferreira Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
  • Rita Narriman Silva de Oliveira Boery Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
  • Edite Lago da Silva Sena Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia

Abstract

Embryonic stem-cells are capable of differentiation in diverse cellular types and be used, in the future, for treating degenerative pathologies and deficiencies. This study aimed at analyzing the main bioethical implications of research withembryonic stem cells and was based on a bibliographic revision of articles from the Virtual Health Library and the CAPES Portal de Periódicos. This analysis demonstrated that science is still incapable of establishing when human life begins, that the use of embryos for obtaining cells does not achieve consensus among researchers and that medical treatment based on stem cells are still not a reality. It is important to stress the importance of studies with embryonic stem cells but advances do not mean immediate application that may not correspond to expectations and need social control.    

Keywords:

embryonic stem-cells, bioethics, research