Human somatic cell nuclear transfer and reproductive cloning: an Ethics Committee opinion
Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Committee members:Judith Daar, Paula Amato, Jean Benward, Lee Rubin Collins, Joseph Davis, Leslie Francis, Elena Gates, Andrew La Barbera, Laurence McCullough, Sigal Klipstein, Barbara Koenig, Mark Sauer, Richard Reindollar, Rebecca Sokol, Sean Tipton, …
Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (2016). Human somatic cell nuclear transfer and reproductive cloning: an Ethics Committee opinion. Fertility and sterility. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.12.041
Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Human somatic cell nuclear transfer and reproductive cloning: an Ethics Committee opinion. Fertility and sterility. 2016. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.12.041
Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. "Human somatic cell nuclear transfer and reproductive cloning: an Ethics Committee opinion." Fertility and sterility, 2016.
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RRM Academy Synopsis
ASRM Ethics Committee holds cloning for infertility is unethical
In a 2016 opinion, the ASRM Ethics Committee says using SCNT for infertility is unethical right now. It gives three reasons: safety, unknown effects on kids and families, and other ways to conceive.
Study at a glance, ethics opinion: ASRM Ethics Committee holds cloning for infertility is unethical. Source: Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2016, PMID 26746137.
Key Findings
The committee concludes that reproductive cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) for infertility "does not meet standards of ethical acceptability" while safety is uncertain and alternatives exist.
The committee holds that fetal and neonatal safety concerns make human reproductive SCNT "unethical at present." It cites high death rates and developmental disorders in most mammals.
The committee says caution is needed before any clinical use even if safety concerns are adequately addressed, and finds no clear consensus that SCNT for infertility serves a "compelling need."
The committee adds that its conclusion leaves therapeutic SCNT research open, and says that research "can be ethically justifiable."
The document lays out three views: SCNT is unethical in all situations, defensible in medically based circumstances if safety is established, or awaiting more information.
Interpretation
This ethics opinion weighs safety, unknown effects on offspring and families, and other paths to conceive. The committee's view applies to the present. Better cloning methods could still leave safety as a barrier later on. The committee calls its opinion a reflection of its members' views, offered as guidance for the field. The opinion addresses reproductive SCNT and leaves therapeutic SCNT research open as a separate question.
RRM Context
The opinion examines one way to make a baby and raises ethics questions about it. Restorative reproductive medicine asks why a couple is not getting pregnant. The opinion does not examine finding or treating the causes of infertility.
Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.
Abstract
This document presents arguments that conclude that it is unethical to use somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) for infertility treatment due to concerns about safety; the unknown impact of SCNT on children, families, and society; and the availability of other ethically acceptable means of assisted reproduction. This document replaces the ASRM Ethics Committee report titled, "Human somatic cell nuclear transfer and cloning," last published in Fertil Steril 2012;98:804-7.
Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2016
Ethics and Policy › Reproductive Ethics › Embryo Research · Clinical Guidelines and Standards › Guidelines by Issuing Body › United States Professional Societies · Assisted Reproduction › Safety and Risks › Procedural Safety
Judith Daar, Paula Amato, Jean Benward, Lee Rubin Collins, Joseph Davis, Leslie Francis, Elena Gates, Andrew La Barbera, Laurence McCullough, Sigal Klipstein, Barbara Koenig, Mark Sauer, Richard Reindollar, Rebecca Sokol, Sean Tipton, 0000-0003-0284-2845
J Daar, P Amato, J Benward, L Collins, Joe Davis, Joey Davis, J Davis, L Francis, E Gates, Andy Barbera, Drew Barbera, A Barbera, Larry McCullough, L McCullough, S Klipstein, Barb Koenig, B Koenig, M Sauer, Rick Reindollar, Dick Reindollar, Rich Reindollar, R Reindollar, Becky Sokol, R Sokol, S Tipton
PMID 26746137 26746137 DOI 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.12.041 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.12.041 Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine et al. 2016, Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2016
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