The HVD supports the motion (16/7982) submitted by Ulrike Flach (FDP), Katherina Reiche (CDU/CSU) and Rolf Stöckel (SPD). Like the latter, the HVD also advocates the complete abolition of the cut-off date and thus a far-reaching liberalization of stem cell research. As important as the regulation of stem cell research is, a reproductive medicine law is becoming more important.
The Humanist Association has made a clear commitment to stem cell research. Dr. Horst Groschopp, Chairman of the Humanist Association, comments on the forthcoming decision by the German Bundestag to amend the Stem Cell Act:
“A continuation of German stem cell research according to the motto: ‘Research is still allowed. But please only with embryonic stem cells from abroad’ is no longer ethically tenable. The Humanist Association is therefore in favour of abolishing the cut-off date and liberalizing stem cell research to a large extent. In order to alleviate or cure previously incurable diseases, we need a clear commitment from the Bundestag to stem cell research. The current cut-off date regulation is no longer tenable, it is hostile to research and can hardly be justified ethically.
Embryonic stem cells themselves have no human dignity. This applies regardless of a cut-off date. To equate stem cells ethically and legally with a baby or a seriously ill person is absurd. In addition, according to the Stem Cell Act, only stem cells from surplus embryos that cannot become human beings may be imported anyway.
The Humanist Association is also in favor of a stem cell use law that regulates the use of the results of stem cell research. The new possibilities for artificially programming cells have a far greater ethical dimension than has been publicly discussed to date.”
