The Moral Status of the Human Embryo: An African Opinion

Dr. Godfrey B. Tangwa is associate professor of Philosophy at the University of Yaounde I (Cameroon). He has published on a wide range of issues, including bio-ethics, the ethics of social science research, language and literature, African politics, and current affairs in Cameroon. Debates, columns and recent publications are to be found on dr. Tangwa's website:www.gobata.com

Discussant: Wim van Binsbergen (African Studies Centre)

The Moral Status of the Human Embryo: An African Opinion

One of the most important and awesome achievements of modern biotechnology is the possibility of cloning human embryonic stem cells. The potentially revolutionary role of such stem cells in curative, preventive and enhancement medicine has been voiced around the world. However, the question of the moral status of cloned embryonic stem cells has not been clearly and unequivocally answered. Taking inspiration from the African adage that “the hand that reaches beneath the incubating hen is not guiltless”, I propose attempting to answer this question from the background of traditional African moral sensibility and sensitivity. I conclude that a morally significant line cannot be drawn between human embryos and other human beings and that human embryonic stem cells ought not to be treated with levity.