Download Stem Cell Research

By Gabrielle Thelen
Stem cells are a class of
undifferentiated cells that are
able to turn into specialized
cell types. Commonly, stem
cells come from two main
sources:
1) Embryos formed during the
blastocyst phase of
embryological development
2) Adult tissue
Stem cells can be guided into becoming specific cells that can be
used to regenerate and repair diseased or damaged tissues in
people. People who might benefit from stem cell therapies include
those with spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's
disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, and burns.
The goal of scientists is to
work with stem cells,
specifically embryonic, to
develop them into specific
kinds of cells. In doing this,
scientists hope to cure
different diseases like
diabetes and Alzheimer’s
disease.
Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any kind of
body cell. In order to get these stem cells, scientists must collect
them from living human embryos. Scientists collect these stem cells
from living the very early stages of a fertilized egg called a
blastocyst. The embryos are destroyed in this process.
Adult stem cells have the ability to become many different cells,
but not all. Some places adult stem cells can be collected from
the body (spine, brain, skin, etc.), amniotic fluid, and other stem
cells because some stem cells can multiply into others. All of these
processes are harmless.
The Church supports most stem cell research which typically
obtains cells from adult tissue, umbilical cord blood, and other
sources. This type of research poses no moral problem. On the
other hand, the ethical issue involved in embryonic stem cell
research is that researchers must harvest stem cells from living
human embryos, thus destroying them. Even though the purpose of
this type of research might produce a good result, it does not
justify the evil means of the destruction of innocent human life. It is
a disrespect to the Right to Life.
“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the
moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a
human being must be recognized as having the rights of a
person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent
being to life. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and
before you were born I consecrated you. My frame was not
hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately
wrought in the depths of the earth” (2270).
The Bible teaches that the child in the womb is truly a human child
and even has a relationship with the Lord; therefore, it is wrong to
destroy this life.
“Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a
reward” (Psalm 127:3).
The “Declaration on The Production and The Scientific and
Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells” is a magisterial
document that discusses the immorality of embryonic stem cell
research.
“As a human individual it has the right to its own life; and therefore
every intervention which is not in favour of the embryo is an act
which violates that right.”
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_academies/acdlif
e/documents/rc_pa_acdlife_doc_20000824_cellulestaminali_en.html
The use of stem cells can be very beneficial, but the use of
embryonic stem cells poses a moral problem. The extraction of
stem cells from the embryo destroys the embryo, thus going
against the principle of the Right to Life. Adult stem cells are
extremely affective and do not harm the human body when
extracted; therefore, there is no moral problem in this research.