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In this paper I explore some of the moral issues that could emerge from the creation of human-nonhuman chimeras (HNH-chimeras) capable of human gamete production and human pregnancy. First I explore whether there is a cogent argument against the creation of HNH-chimeras that could produce human gametes. I conclude that so far there is none, and that in fact there is at least one good moral reason for producing such types of creatures. Afterwards I explore some of the moral problems that could emerge from the fact that a HNH-chimera could become pregnant with a human conceptus. I focus on two sets of problems: problems that would arise by virtue of the fact that a human is gestated by a nonhuman creature, and problems that would emerge from the fact that such pregnancies could affect the health of the HNH-chimera.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s40592-015-0031-1

Type

Journal article

Journal

Monash Bioeth Rev

Publication Date

06/2015

Volume

33

Pages

181 - 202

Keywords

Biotechnology, Chimeras, Human gametes, Human–nonhuman chimeras, Part human, Xenopregnancy, Abortion, Eugenic, Animals, Biotechnology, Chimera, Ethics, Medical, Ethics, Research, Female, Gametogenesis, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Morals, Oocyte Donation, Pregnancy, Reproductive Techniques, Assisted, Stem Cell Research, Wrongful Life