Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter to the Editor
  • Published:

Overcoming scientific barriers and human prudence

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 38, pages 829–830 (2006)Cite this article

In volume 38, pp 5–6, May 2006 of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Frassoni wrote a short article on in vitro fertilization and embryo research in which he strongly criticizes the law 40/2004 approved by the Italian parliament.1 He is very much concerned about the ban on embryonic stem cell research and the restrictions laid on in vitro fertilization. The Italian law rules that no more than three eggs at a time can be fertilized, and that all of the resulting embryos must be implanted simultaneously.

In our opinion, the most important issue is to define the biological and ontological status of the embryo. In this context, we would like to stress a few points based on biological data. From the moment the spermatozoon enters the egg, two fundamental characteristics emerge: (a) the new system is not simply the sum of the two subsystems but a new unit that cannot be compared to either the oocyte or the spermatozoon and (b) this event gives rise to development with absolutely original features: coordination, continuity and gradualness.2 The differentiation process begins almost at the same time.3 Pearson wrote that ‘where your head and feet would sprout, and which side would form your back and which your belly, were being defined in the minutes and hours after sperm and egg unite’.4 The conclusion inferred from the biological data available today is that from the moment of fertilization the embryo is an individual human being who is beginning his life cycle,5 and is thus worthy of protection and respect. Thus, when you destroy an embryo you are destroying a human life.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Frassoni F . The laws covering in vitro fertilization and embryo research in Italy. Bone Marrow Transplant 2006; 38: 5–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Moore Kl, Persaud TVN . The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embriology, 7th edn. Saunders Company: Philadelphia, PA, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Zernicka-Goetz M . First cell fate decisions and spatial patterning in the early mouse embryo. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2004; 15: 563–572.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Pearson H . Your destiny from day one. Nature 2002; 418: 14–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gilbert SF . Developmental Biology, 7th edn. Sinauer Associates Inc.: Sunderland, MA, 2000, 185 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Powell K . Low embryo count fuels US stem-cell debate. Nature 2003; 423: 213.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Porcu E, Venturoli S . Progress with oocyte cryopreservation. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2006; 18: 273–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Braude P, Minger SL, Warwick RM . Stem cell therapy: hope or hype? BMJ 2005; 330: 1150–1160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Körbling M, Estrov Z . Adult stem cell for tissue repair. A new therapeutic concept? N Engl J Med 2003; 349: 570–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Trapianti di Midollo Osseo, Ospedale R Bignati, Cagliari, Italy

    G Caocci

  2. Servizio di Medicina Legale, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    S Pisu

Authors
  1. G Caocci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S Pisu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G Caocci.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Caocci, G., Pisu, S. Overcoming scientific barriers and human prudence. Bone Marrow Transplant 38, 829–830 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705536

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705536

Search

Advanced search

Quick links