Human rights of an embryo.

Spontaneous ethical views very often spring just from feelings. But an ethical standpoint of any lasting value cannot be based just upon feelings. Relevant facts and values are indispensable. The purpose of the article is to draw the attention to the set of values that is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly the values of human life, human dignity, human liberty, human physical integrity and the brotherhood of man. More generally recognized values are difficult to find. The usefulness of them as criteria in ethical contexts is tested by applying them to a judging pro and con of research on human embryos. The testing is performed against the background of the report of the Warnock Committee.