Should we use embryonic stem cells in medical research?

Critical considerations: ethics of use of embryonic stem cells.

The following two extracts were parts of testimonies to the US National Bioethics Advisory Commission.They represent the views of members of the Islamic and Roman Catholic faiths.

As stated by Abdulaziz Sachedina, University of Virginia

“… it is possible to propose the following as acceptable to all schools of thought in Islam.

1. The Koran and the Tradition regard perceivable human life as possible at the later stages of the biological development of the embryo.

2. A fetus is accorded the status of legal person only at the latter stages of its development, when perceptible form and voluntary movement are demonstrated. Hence, in earlier stages, such as when it lodges itself in the uterus and begins its journey to personhood, the embryo cannot be considered as possessing moral status.

3. The silence of the Koran over a criterion for moral status (i.e. when the ensoulment occurs) of the fetus allows a distinction between a biological and a moral person, placing the latter stage after, at least, the first trimester of pregnancy.

In Islam, research on stem cells made possible by biotechnical intervention in the early stages of life is regarded as an act of faith in the ultimate will of God as the Giver of all life, as long as such an intervention is undertaken with the purpose of improving human health.”

As stated by Kevin Wildes, Georgetown University

“… I do not think one can argue that there is, in Roman Catholic thought, opposition to stem cell research itself. The crucial moral issues and stumbling blocks are the problem of the derivation of the stem cells used in the research itself. That is, the destruction of embryos or the use of fetal tissue from abortion are the key moral problems. If you think that embryos should be treated as human persons, then it makes sense to argue that they should not be destroyed for purposes of research. However, if there were a way to conduct stem cell research without destroying human life, either embryonic or fetal, I do not think the Roman Catholic tradition would have a principled opposition to such research. It is important to point out, however, that there is no single Roman Catholic “ position” on this topic or many moral topics. In addition, if one thinks with a Roman Catholic imagination, one must also ask about the questions of justice in devoting resources, especially national resources, to such research when there are so many other basic medical and health needs that are unmet.”

Excepted from pages 17 and 18 in Biology: A Course Companion, Allott A. and Mindorff, D., Oxford University Press, 2007.

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Your required assignment is to reflect upon the above comments and then to review the basic viewpoints on stem cell research which can be accessed here. Having read through the arguments both for and against embryonic stem cell use in medical research, please comment on this post by stating your opinion and incorporating one or more of the arguments stated in the viewpoints.

Questions? email doug@dougabshire.com and/or ask in class!

Thanks, Mr. A

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