Download Stem cells Before we discuss human cloning we need to talk about

Stem cells
Before we discuss human cloning we need to talk about stem
cells. These are special cells that can turn into any cell in the
body. A stem cell can be made to grow into a skin cell, a heart
muscle cell, a white blood cell etc. The most common source
of human stem cells used in scientific research is the human
embryo.
Experiments using stem cells from human embryos are completely
unacceptable to the Orthodox Church because embryos are
created in the laboratory and are then destroyed.
Japanese scientists have discovered a different way to produce
stem cells that is better scientifically and does not involve killing
embryos. They do this by taking cells from our skin and turning
them into stem cells. In other words, they make the cells move
backwards and turn themsevles into ‘baby cells’ which can
then be made to grown back into other, different kinds of cells.
This kind of stem cell research is acceptable to most Orthodox
Christians.
Cloning humans
What do we mean by the cloning of humans? Are we trying to
copy people or bits of people? Cloning humans involves creating
an embryo that is genetically identical to its parent. It might be
possible to clone an entire human by implanting a human egg
containing a nucleus from that person into a woman’s womb.
This would be completely unacceptable to the Orthodox
Church as the creation of human life is a gift from God in order
for us to share in His love. We cannot clone God’s gift of love in
a laboratory so would this cloned human life really be human?
Cloning parts of the human body using stem cells from adults
It might be possible for scientists in the future to take skin cells
from our body, turn them into stem cells and then into other
types of cell. For example, a person who has been blinded in an
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