Developments in reproductive technology have been news since the birth of the first in vitro fertilization baby in 1978. But, asks this book, is embryo experimentation ethically acceptable? What is the moral status of the human embryo? And how should a democratic society deal with the issue?

New developments in reproductive technology have made headlines since the birth of the world's first in vitro fertilization baby in 1978. But is embryo experimentation ethically acceptable? What is the moral status of the early human embryo? And how should a democratic society deal with so controversial an issue, where conflicting views are based on differing religious and philosophical positions? These controversial questions are the subject of this book, which, as a current compendium of ideas and arguments on the subject, makes an original contribution of major importance to this debate.