Moral Connections? The Relationship between Abortion and Fetal Tissue Research

For a brief overview of current research in this area see: Strong Carson “Fetal Tissue Transplantation: Can it Be Morally Insulated From Abortion.” Journal of Medical Ethics; 1991, 17: p. 70. I am indebted to this paper for much of the structure of my argument.

For a synopsis of the objections to fetal tissue research see: Burtchaell James T. “Case Study: University Policy on Experimental Uses of Aborted Fetal Tissue.” IRB: A Review of Human Subjects Research; 1988, 10: pp. 7–11.

Robertson John A. “Rights, Symbolism, and Public Policy in Fetal Tissue Transplants.” Hasting Center Report; 1988, 18: p. 6.

Childress James F. “Ethics, Public Policy, and Human Fetal Tissue Transplantation Research.” Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal; 1991, 1: p. 97.

Text of the NIH panel report cited in Childress, p. 105.

Fine Alan “The Ethics of Fetal Tissue Transplants.” Hastings Center Report: 1988, 18: p. 6.

Fine, p. 6.

I am indebted to Madison Powers for this insight.

Burtchaell James T. “The Use of Aborted Fetal Tissue in Research: A Rebuttal.” IRB: A Review of Human Subjects; 1989, 11: p. 9.

Robertson , “Rights, Symbolism, and Public Policy,” p. 7.

Childress , p. 106.

Lewin Tamar “Medical Use of Fetal Tissue Spurs New Abortion Debate.” New York Times; August 16, 1987, p. 1.

By this statement, I do not intend to imply that financial issues are sole factors that a woman considers when deciding whether to become a surrogate.

A more complete discussion of this point is beyond the scope of this paper.

Freedman Benjamin “The Ethics of Using Human Fetal Tissue.” IRB: A Review of Human Subjects Research; 1988, 19: p. 3

String , p. 72.

Robertson John A. “Fetal Tissue Transplant Research is Ethical.” IRB: A Review of Human Subjects Research; 1988, 10: p. 6.

Burtchaell James T. “Case Study: University Policy on Experimental Use of Aborted Fetal Tissue,” p. 10.

Freedman , p. 3.

Burtchaell , “Case Study: University Policy on Experimental Use of Aborted Fetal Tissue,” p. 11.

Robertson , “Fetal Tissue Transplant Research is Ethical,” p. 7.

Robertson , “Fetal Tissue Transplant Research is Ethical,” p. 7.

Fletcher John , and Wertz Dorthy “Fatal Knowledge? Prenatal Diagnosis and Sex Selection.” Hastings Center Report; 1989, 19: p. 21.

Robertson , “Fetal Tissue Transplant Research is Ethical,” p. 6.