As Christians we are instilled with the belief that all life is sacred from the moment of conception. But what if science could develop a cure for degenerative diseases using research which contradicts the firm beliefs of the Catholic Church. Could you trade your beliefs for a cure? The research into stem cells is proposing this very solution to modern day society. As technology gets more advanced we are constantly gathering more and more information about the science of human life. With this in mind however, who gets to decide when the cost of breaching human rights and decency out weighs the benefits. Embryonic stem cell research takes excess embryos from in-vitro fertilization and aborted fetuses to conduct research. The research is invasive and leads to the death of the fetus. How can we as Catholic’s who are called to be socially just promote this research when it challenges our beliefs to such a degree. The research of embryonic stem cells is a desecration to the validity and sacredness of human-life and is therefore murder of human beings. The means of gaining material for this research promotes disrespect for the dignity of human life, murder, and also interferes with God’s plan for humanity.
There are three main types of stem cell research which are currently being studied today. These types include umbilical-cord stem cells, adult stem cells, and embryonic stem cells. Due to their capability to develop into basically any kind of cell, stem cells exhibit a great promise in scientific experimentation. Scientists are pushing these forms of research due to the promise of finding cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, spinal cord injuries, and other conditions and diseases. (Smith and Kaczor 48). The...
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...Perf. Jim Carrey and Steve Carell. Twentieth Century Fox, 2008. Motion Picture.
Human Embryo Experimentation. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Bonnie Barbour, 2002. Print
Irving, Dianne N. “Stem Cell Research: some Pro’s and Con’s.” physiciansforlife.ca. N.d. Web. 1 Jan 2011.
Richert, Scott P. “The Catholic Church’s Teaching on Stem-Cell Research.” catholicism.about.com. N.d. Web. 1 January 2011.
Smith, Janet E and Christopher Kaczor. Life Issues Medical Choices. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messeger Press, 2007. Print.
The English Standard Version Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with Apocrypha. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.
The Gospel of Life, Evangelium vitae. Pope John Paul II, March 25, 1995.
Medical researchers utilize this versatility to develop treatments for incurable diseases. Despite the considerable benefits of stem cells in medical applications, the use of some sources of stem cells is not ethical. In article 1761 of the Catholic Catechism, the church teaches "One may not do evil so that good may result from it.” The good of medical discoveries does not justify the evil of killing to obtain the stem cells. Therefore, people have a moral obligation to restrict the use of ethically collected stem cells such as those from umbilical cords or adult bone marrow. Stem cell research has potential to cure many diseases. However, in order to conduct ethical research, scientists must limit refrain from using fetal and embryonic stem
In a recent article, “Destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Research”, Father Mark Hodges, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian argues that human lif...
The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and the New. Cambridge: Printed by John Field ..., 1668. Print.
Stem cell research is a heavily debated topic that can stir trouble in even the tightest of Thanksgiving tables. The use cells found in the cells of embryos to replicate dead or dying cells is a truly baffling thought. To many, stem cell research has the potential to be Holy Grail of modern medicine. To many others, it is ultimately an unethical concept regardless of its capabilities. Due to how divided people are on the topic of stem cell research, its legality and acceptance are different everywhere. According to Utilitarianism, stem cell research should be permitted due to the amount of people it can save, however according to the Divine Command of Christianity, the means of collecting said stem cells are immoral and forbidden.
Because stem cells are essentially a blank slate, scientists are theoretically capable of growing any human tissue cell. There is enormous medical potential in this. Stem cell research is the next step in advancing the medical field. It is comparable to the discovery of penicillin or the inoculation for smallpox.
Reaves, J. (2001, July 11). The great debate over stem cell research. Time, Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,167245,00.html
There are many different types of stem cells that are being looked at for research. These include embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent cells. Embryonic stem cells are cells that have the potential to produce many different cells in the body. They are cells that are tak...
Monroe, Kristen, et al., eds. Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical and Political Issues. Los Angeles/Berkley: University of California Press, 2008. Print
The English Standard Version Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with Apocrypha. New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.
The wide range of prospective uses for stem cells could greatly improve the health and wellbeing of many people. In stem cell treatments, undifferentiated cells are programmed to form specific cells, which can then be transplanted to the afflicted area. Stems cells can possibly treat afflictions including “Alzheimer’s diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis” (“Stem Cell Basics”). Another important use is in drug testing. Drugs can be tested on stem cells that develop into the target tissue before using it on human test subjects, which improves safety. Finally, transplantation of organs created from stem cells could eliminate the need for human...
Travis, John. New Sources and Uses for Stem Cells, Science News, Dec. 2, 2000, p. 23.
Lanza, Tyler. "The Stem Cell Research Controversy." Stem Cell History. N.p., January 5, 2011. Web. 16 Feb 2012.
The stem cell research controversy is one of the major headlines in bioscience and has been discussed and debated numerous times throughout the last decade or so.
Bibles, Crossway. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version: Containing the Old and New Testaments. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010. Print.