Commercialisation of human embryos and stem cells
A critical analysis through the rights approach
Keywords:
Embryonic Stem cells, Dignity, Human rights, Health, PatentsAbstract
The Multinational Corporations involved in stem cell research are lined up in the race to obtain patents for stem cells and economically exploit the patent within the time span of Twenty Years. Though stem cells have the ability to change the lives of many patients, the full potential of the stem cells is yet to be unveiled. Albeit the concerns stem cells have been used in regenerative therapies, to treat COVID-19, Parkinson diseases. Hence countries like U.S, EU, Japan, South Korea have made huge investments in Research on stem cells. However, the trepidation of morality, human right concerns on using embryos for research in stem cell industry has been criticized by human right activists, Feminists, religious leaders. This article analyses whether ‘human dignity’ and ‘Human rights’ concerns in stem cell research and commercialization can be conceded to establish ‘highest standards of health’ from a right based approach.
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