Análise dos aspectos éticos e jurídicos na investigação em embriões humanos

Abstract

This Study deals with the ethical and legal aspects around human-embryo investigations. It was divided into three parts. The first part deals with the ethical aspects of human embryo investigations, outlining the origin, definition and general principles of bioethics, as well as the position of the Roman Catholic Church concerning technological progress, the international ethical guidelines for biomedical research or experiments in human beings, and, finally, a parallel study between the existing theories about the beginning of life, highlighting the inconsistency of the pre-embryo Theory. The second part of this Study focused on research on human beings, with the definition of the terms biotechnology, genetics and genetic engineering. The human genome project was discussed, and towards the end of this chapter, a more in-depth study about the issue of gene patent ensued. The third part approached the legal aspects of human-embryo investigation, involving the analysis of human clones and its legal consequences, civil liabilities of genetic manipulation companies, and, finally, the analysis of the Brazilian regulations which govern human embryo interventions. In the conclusion, the most relevant aspects of the study were highlighted, and a recommendation towards the need to give legal; protection to the embryo since conception was made