© 2006 American Thoracic Society
Against the ATS Statement on Human Embryonic Stem Cell ResearchTo the Editor:Stem cells differentiate into many specialized cells and are therefore of interest in chronic conditions for which treatment is limited. Adult stem cells have been used successfully in treatment trials for cancer, genetic syndromes, and other conditions. There are no ethical or moral concerns with the appropriate use of adult stem cells. However, human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research is unethical since it results in the destruction of human life for research purposes. The unethical egg donor procurement practices and scientific fraud in South Korea highlight the compromised positions of researchers willing to take part in HESC research (1). As American Thoracic Society (ATS) members, we do not support HESC research, and we completely disagree with the recently published official ATS statement on HESC, which should be retracted or revised (2). HESC research is morally wrong since it is the direct destruction of innocent human life and does not benefit the individual embryo undergoing the research (3). The authors' statement regarding use of embryos from in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics is based on the argument that the embryos will die anyway, and therefore research benefit could be derived from them. The ends never justify the means. All of us will die someday, yet this does not give a researcher the right to terminate that life. In this case, the embryos will die because others have chosen their death for the purpose of research. The authors state that obtaining consent for embryos from IVF clinics justifies their use for research. Since consent can't be obtained from the embryo, it must be obtained from the donor acting as a legal surrogate. Consent for an incompetent research subject by a legal surrogate is allowed only if there is minimal risk and therapeutic benefit for the incompetent research subject. This principle is upheld by the Declaration of Helsinki, the Nuremberg Code, and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. As stated by the World Medical Association, "Concern for the interests of the subject must always prevail over the interest of science and society" (4). In the case of a human embryo that will be destroyed, there is no benefit and only harm. Physicians need to support life in all instances, especially the most vulnerable in society. We believe it is irresponsible for the ATS to ignore the entire society it represents, which includes members who do not support HESC research. We encourage the Board and editorial staff to reconsider their position and to be inclusive of the Society they are empowered to represent.
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
Washington University School of Medicine, St.Louis, Missouri FOOTNOTES Conflict of Interest Statement: None of the authors has a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of this manuscript. REFERENCES
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