人類胚胎幹細胞道德地位之爭議―儒佛視域與當代醫學、法律的對話

Abstract

生命倫理學（bioethics）主要探討生命科學領域中常見的各種道德問題（包括醫病關係、安樂死、墮胎、生殖醫學、人體與動物實驗、防疫與公共衛生等議題），是一門集合醫學、哲學、法學、宗教、社會學、心理學、人類學等多種專業領域的倫理學研究。現今各國對人類胚胎的道德地位雖爭議不斷，但人類胚胎仍被合法化或默許地使用於醫藥臨床實驗。現今臺灣醫療特別法及《民法》等公共領域規範中，人類胚胎相關法規立法基準歧異矛盾，且有將之客體化為「物」的現象。有鑑於我國法律對人類胚胎生命的物化漠視，本文藉儒家仁愛恕道的推擴與佛教戒律保護胚胎「似人」地位，尊重人類胚胎生命的思考，期提供我國未來相關法規對此新時代議題未來進行修法時的參考。

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) possess the potential of self-replication and differentiation, and, in certain corporeal conditions, can exhibit multiple functions. Since their discovery in 1945, hESCs have been widely used in cell therapy-centered medical research, treatment, drug-safety testing, and other applications. Ethical controversies surround the use of hESCs in medical research and applications because embryonic life is sacrificed in the process of obtaining these cells. Although other types of stem cells can be used, hESCs are preferred by most medical researchers because of their higher success rates in medical research development and applications. Nevertheless, bioethical and moral debates continue. From the perspective of Buddhist and Confucian doctrines, human embryos are “human-like” and to deprive one of life is no different from committing homicide. Based on the belief that all human life, whether fully formed or not, should be protected, this thesis counters the popular notion that a fetus is granted the right to life only when it passes through the birth canal. An embryo possessing 23 pairs of chromosomes and which eventually develops into a functioning human being should be granted the proper respect. Medical science and biotechnology can improve the quality of human life, but they must strive to do so only under the condition that no human embryo is denied life.