Seppe Segers

Balancing Ethical Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Derived Gametes

In this review we aim to provide an overview of the most important ethical pros and cons of stem cell derived gametes (SCD-gametes), as a contribution to the debate about reproductive tissue engineering. Derivation of gametes from stem cells holds promising applications both for research and for clinical use in assisted reproduction. We explore the ethical issues connected to gametes derived from embryonic stem cells (both patient specific and non-patient specific) as well as those related to gametes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. The technology of SCD-gametes raises moral concerns of how reproductive autonomy relates to issues of embryo destruction, safety, access, and applications beyond clinical infertility.

In vitro gametogenesis and reproductive cloning: Can we allow one while banning the other?

In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) is believed to be the next big breakthrough in reproductive medicine. The prima facie acceptance of this possible future technology is notable when compared to the general prohibition on human reproductive cloning. After all, if safety is the main reason for not allowing reproductive cloning, one might expect a similar conclusion for the reproductive application of IVG, since both technologies hold considerable and comparable risks. However, safety concerns may be overcome, and are presumably not the sole reason why cloning is being condemned. We therefore assess the non-safety arguments against reproductive cloning, yet most of these can also be held against IVG. The few arguments that cannot be used against IVG are defective. We conclude from this that it will be hard to defend a ban on reproductive cloning while accepting the reproductive use of IVG.

Réflexions éthiques sur les gamètes issus de cellules souches

This review explores the relevant ethical questions that are raised by the potential creation and use of stem cell derived sperm and egg cells (SCD-gametes), otherwise known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). We focus on the differentiation of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells into gametes. This possible future technology is believed to serve both basic science and clinical use, especially in the field of assisted reproduction. The creation of SCD-gametes could overcome the short supply of oocytes available for research, and as such promote scientific knowledge about diseases as well as about human reproduction. With respect to therapy, IVG could enable various groups of people who would otherwise be dependent on donor gametes to have genetically related offspring. However, these prospects also raise moral issues related to the instrumentalisation (and destruction) of human embryos, the physical and psychological wellbeing of the future offspring who would be born via this technology, and how far one should go to accommodate the goal of having genetically related offspring. This includes related questions about fairness and access to IVG as well as concerns that this technology might be used for applications beyond clinical infertility. We give an overview of the various moral questions this raises.

Ethical reflections on stem cell-derived gametes

This review explores the relevant ethical questions that are raised by the potential creation and use of stem cell derived sperm and egg cells (SCD-gametes), otherwise known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). We focus on the differentiation of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells into gametes. This possible future technology is believed to serve both basic science and clinical use, especially in the field of assisted reproduction. The creation of SCD-gametes could overcome the short supply of oocytes available for research, and as such promote scientific knowledge about diseases as well as about human reproduction. With respect to therapy, IVG could enable various groups of people who would otherwise be dependent on donor gametes to have genetically related offspring. However, these prospects also raise moral issues related to the instrumentalisation (and destruction) of human embryos, the physical and psychological wellbeing of the future offspring who would be born via this technology, and how far one should go to accommodate the goal of having genetically related offspring. This includes related questions about fairness and access to IVG as well as concerns that this technology might be used for applications beyond clinical infertility. We give an overview of the various moral questions this raises.

Modern Ethical Dilemmas in ART

Medically assisted reproduction offers new possibilities to people to have a child. Most techniques are focused primarily on ways to give people a genetically related child. These may be relatively simple techniques such as cryopreserving oocytes or more complicated interventions such as creating patient-specific gametes from stem cells. These techniques will all hold a certain additional risk for the offspring due to the manipulation of gametes. This health risk, in combination with costs and efforts, should be balanced against the psychosocial risks of using donor gametes.