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'[P]eople talk about the potential for good that can come from destroying these little embryos and how we might be able to solve the problem of juvenile diabetes. There's no indication yet that they're gonna do that, but people say that, or spinal cord injuries or such things. But I have to ask this question: In World War II, the Nazis experimented on human beings in horrible ways in the concentration camps, and I imagine, if you wanted to take the time to read about it, there would have been some discoveries there that benefited mankind.'(Dr. Nicolosi - excerpt from transcript)[1]

James Dobson#1

DebateEthicsMoralityResearchScience

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker argues against embryo research by comparing it to Nazi experiments that might have yielded benefits but were morally wrong.
In plain terms
Embryo research is compared to Nazi experiments to highlight moral issues.
What can you take from it?
Consider moral costs when weighing scientific potential.

Where it applies

  • bioethics debate
  • policy making
  • scientific review

Putting it to work

  • weigh ethics
  • consider history
  • evaluate costs

Questions to consider

  • Is scientific progress worth any cost?
  • Where is the line drawn?

Another view

The comparison may oversimplify modern medical research contexts.

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