SKIP arguments

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The SKIP arguments are four arguments that are used to justify why the life of embryos is worth protecting. The term "SKIP" is an acronym and is made up of the first letters of the terms of the four arguments. The arguments in question are the species argument, the continuum argument, the identity argument, and the potentiality argument.

In the context of the SKIP arguments, the question of an incalculable right to life is mostly linked to the concept of dignity . Philosophers with a preferential utilitarian background link the concept of dignity with the personal status of an individual. Here the embryo receives its incalculable right to life through its status as a person, which, as it were, gives it dignity. In this tradition, one speaks of personal rights based on and differentiated from human rights . All SKIP arguments try in different ways to prove that the human embryo possesses dignity and should therefore be used before abortion , consuming research (e.g. on embryonic stem cells ) and the like. Ä. Must be protected.

  • The species argument is that all members of the species Homo sapiens have dignity. Since embryos also belong to the human species, their lives must also be protected.
  • According to the continuity argument , the decisive developmental steps of an embryo (impregnation, syngamy , first transcription regardless of the maternal RNA, implantation, primitive stripes , neurulation ) do not correspond to any morally justifiable value differences. This means that, due to its continuous development, no clear line can be drawn as to when an embryo is considered to be in need of protection. That is why an embryo has dignity right from the start of its development. In addition, the time and justification of the dignity are uncertain, so that the decision must be made cautious. Furthermore, dignity is not the result of a function of the human body. Only the uniformity of the cell structure, not the number and function of the cells, is decisive.
  • According to the identity argument , there is a moral relationship of identity between the embryo and the person who can develop from it. Since we are willing to attribute dignity to a person, we must also attribute dignity to the embryo on the basis of the relationship of identity. RM Hare refers to the " Golden Rule ": We would not wish we had an abortion, so we shouldn't do it to anyone else either.
  • Finally, the potentiality argument says that embryos have dignity because they have the potential to develop into a being that has dignified properties.

In medical ethics, the SKIP arguments are part of a lively debate about the extent to which the life of embryos is worth protecting. All SKIP arguments were criticized in depth in the course of this debate, but not conclusively. Reinhard Merkel , Gregor Damschen and Dieter Schönecker , Norbert Hoerster , Anton Leist and Peter Singer have dealt critically with the arguments :

  1. The species argument is criticized as a naturalistic fallacy . The human zygote lacks the ability to experience as the basis of a subjective right to life.
  2. The continuity argument is criticized as an unsubstantiated claim. In fact, we classify rights according to developmental phases, which becomes clear, for example, when restricting the rights of children.
  3. The identity argument is rejected because something can only be identical to itself. Furthermore, the possible multiple formation and the DNA as the only identity relationship contradict the view that the embryo is already something identical in itself. From the fertilized egg cell emerges not only the embryoblast, but also the trophoblast and from it the placenta, which, according to the argument of identity, should have the same dignity. In addition, a born human is not identical to the blastocyst from which it emerged. The embryoblast is not reversed with the zygote identical.
  4. The potentiality argument is rejected by Peter Singer with the argument that destroying an acorn is not the same as cutting down the tree.

literature

  • Gregor Damschen , Dieter Schönecker (ed.): The moral status of human embryos. Pro and contra species, continuum, identity and potentiality arguments. de Gruyter, Berlin 2003, ISBN 978-3-11-017365-9 .
  • R. Merkel: Research Object Embryo. DTV, Munich 2002.
  • P. Strasser, E. Starz: Being a person from a bioethical perspective. Steiner Verlag, 1997.
  • C. Geyer: Biopolitics - the positions. Suhrkamp Verlag, 2001.
  • J. Beckmann: Questions and problems of medical ethics. de Gruyter Verlag, 1995.
  • T. Heinemann, J. Kersten: stem cell research. Karl Alber Verlag, 2007.
  • M. Klar, M. Kunze, HP Zahradnik: Discussion about the ethical status of human embryos - A summary of central arguments and perspectives. In: Reproduktionsmed. Endocrinol. Volume 4, No. 1, 2007, pp. 21-26.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The expression was coined by Gregor Damschen and Dieter Schönecker (G. Damschen and D. Schönecker 2002), cf. also H. Kreß: Medical Ethics. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2009.
  2. ↑ M. Klar, M. Kunze, HP Zahradnik: Discussion about the ethical status of human embryos - A summary of central arguments and perspectives. In: Reproduktionsmed. Endocrinol. Volume 4, No. 1, 2007, pp. 21-26.
  3. ↑ Abortion and the Golden Rule: http://www.utilitarian.net/hare/by/1975----.pdf
  4. ↑ sundoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de
  5. ↑ R. Müller-Terpitz: The protection of prenatal life. Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen 2007, pp. 49-65.
  6. ↑ G. Damschen, D. Schönecker: In dubio pro embryone. New arguments on the moral status of human embryos. In: G. Damschen, D. Schönecker: The moral status of human embryos. Pro and contra species, continuum, identity and potentiality arguments. de Gruyter, Berlin 2002.
  7. ^ Norbert Hoerster: Abortion in the secular state - arguments against § 218 . Suhrkamp Paperback, 1991.
  8. ^ Anton Leist: A question of life - ethics of abortion and artificial fertilization . Campus, 1990.
  9. ^ P. Singer: Abortion and ethical weighing of interests. In: Peter Singer: Practical Ethics . Reclam, 1984.
  10. ↑ R. Merkel: Research Object Embryo. Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, Munich 2002, p. 131 ff. Quoted from: M. Klar, M. Kunze, HP Zahradnik: Discussion about the ethical status of human embryos - A summary of central arguments and perspectives. In: Reproduktionsmed. Endocrinol. Volume 4, No. 1, 2007, pp. 21-26.
  11. ↑ Federal Agency for Civic Education: Abortion | bpb. In: www.bpb.de. Retrieved September 17, 2016 .
  12. ↑ M. Klar, M. Kunze, HP Zahradnik: Discussion about the ethical status of human embryos - A summary of central arguments and perspectives. In: Reproduktionsmed. Endocrinol. Volume 4, No. 1, 2007, pp. 21-26.
  13. ^ P. Singer: Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1979.
  14. ↑ kup.at