Overview

What exactly is an embryo? In German law, the embryo is defined according to the criterion of developmental biological totipotency. But when somatic cells are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, it can at present not be completely ruled out that these cells undergo a temporary totipotent stage. The contributions to this volume examine what consequences arise out of this hypothetical assumption for the biological significance and the moral and legal assessment of human embryos.Setting out from the presentation of the historical concept and current interpretations of the term developmental biological totipotency, the legal section of the volume examines to what extent totipotency is an adequate criterium for the legal definition of the embryo, or whether it needs to be amended. Finally, the philosophical section reflects on the definition of the embryo in terms of potentiality, naturalness and purpose.

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9783847103424

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Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Heinemann ist Lehrstuhlinhaber fÃ""r Ethik, Theorie und Geschichte der Medizin an der Philosophisch-Theologischen Hochschule Vallendar. Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Dederer lehrt Staats- und Verwaltungsrecht, Europarecht und internationales Wirtschaftsrecht an der Universität Passau. Prof. Dr. Tobias Cantz ist Leiter der Arbeitsgruppe ""Translational Hepatology and Stem Cell Biology"" im Exzellenzcluster REBIRTH an der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover. Dr. Heike Baranzke ist Wissenschaftliche Assistentin am Lehrstuhl fÃ""r Moraltheologie der Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät der Universität Bonn.

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