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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 135