Embryo research: some Anglican perspectives

This article surveys a range of Anglican perspectives on the status of the human embryo. It begins by offering a scientific account of the embryo and describes what UK law currently permits in embryo research. It discusses relevant scriptural passages and identifies different views in Christian teac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Islam and Christian-Muslim relations
Main Author: Foster-Gilbert, Claire 1964- (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge 2005
In: Islam and Christian-Muslim relations
Further subjects:B Theology
B ethical argumentation
B concept of life
B Lebensbegriff
B church statements
B Kirchliche Stellungnahme
B Ethische Argumentation
B Abtreibung
B Abortion
B Anglican Church / Church of England
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:This article surveys a range of Anglican perspectives on the status of the human embryo. It begins by offering a scientific account of the embryo and describes what UK law currently permits in embryo research. It discusses relevant scriptural passages and identifies different views in Christian teaching on the early foetus from the first century onwards. Drawing on these sources, the article then offers four integrated approaches to the status of the embryo: the simultaneous uniqueness and mutuality of every embryo; the significance of so-called spare embryos; the possibility of an identity that develops over time; and the possibility of continuity of identity from fertilization. The article does not come to a conclusion about what is the right way to view and treat the embryo, but explores the reasoning behind different views. It suggests that scientific and medical developments should be celebrated and encouraged but also critically assessed in the light of Christian convictions about the dignity of human kind as created by God.
ISSN:0959-6410
Contains:In: Islam and Christian-Muslim relations
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/09596410500143039