The creation of embryos for research use has drawn a great deal of criticism. It is difficult to defend an ethical distinction between what one can do to spare embryos and what one can do to research embryos. The strongest ground on which to argue against the creation of embryos for research is a symbolic one, having to do with respect for human life. Ronald Dworkin\u27s work in Life\u27s Dominion on the symbolic meaning of the abortion debate throws a helpful light on this dispute. By understanding the basic question to be, Does the creation of research embryos weaken or insult our communal respect for the sanctity of human life in some way that in vitro fertilization (IVF) or the experimental use of spare embryos does not?, the debate can move in a more constructive direction
