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Stem Cell Research |
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STEM CELL RESEARCH
The Catholic Church
and many Christians is perceived by many, as being opposed to all stem cell
research. Nothing could be further from the truth. The real truth is that the
Church supports adult stem cell research,
but opposes embryonic stem cell research. This is because embryonic stem cell research -
as currently done destroys (kills) the
developing cells, which, if allowed to develop, could become a baby, a child,
an adult. The concept of the sanctity of human life is the basis for this
opposition. There can be no compromise about human life; it is either human
life or it is not human life. An
embryonic stem cell if allowed to develop will eventually become a human
body. Anything that stops this development at any stage would be the
killing of a human life. The Difference Embryonic stem cells come from the union (fertilization) of an egg and a sperm cell commonly called the Moment of Conception. This fertilization starts the development of a new human life. Embryonic stem cells exist only in the first 12 weeks of development. Currently, embryonic stem cells can only be harvested by destroying (killing) the developing cells (the fetus).. The
function of an embryonic stem cell in nature is to reproduce and develop all
organs and tissues in a precise sequence that is the same for every human
being. Embryonic stem cells react to a precise internal control program. Without direction of this internal program,
these cells are similar to cancer cells, and would develop aimlessly like a
tumor. So far, there has been no successful use of embryonic stem cells
to cure disease or repair injuries. In point of fact, according to the only
published report, the one time they have been used, they caused a cancerous
growth in the brain of the patient. Adult stem cells are also formed during the early stage
of human development in the fetus.
(Any stem cell that is not embryonic is an adult stem cell.) In nature, the function of an adult stem
cell is to repair any organ that has a problem or defect, starting with the
fetus and extending throughout the entire adult life, thus they can be used
for curing any part of the
body. Adult stem cells can be harvested from a placenta, or from different
parts of an adult human body. Harvesting them does not destroy (kill) any other life. Adult stem cells have already been used
to effect cures, clearly demonstrating that this is where the greater promise
for research lies, without the need to kill any living cells. The Politics of Stem Cell Research Politicians who
favor pro-choice (to kill) will be in favor of embryonic stem cell research,
since this is consistent with their beliefs on abortion. On the other hand,
pro-life politicians will oppose embryonic stem cell research, since they
believe that life begins at conception (fertilization). It is therefore
incumbent upon Catholics, to uphold their values and vote only for pro-life
candidates for public office. As Catholics, we can make a difference; and we
should use our vote to make that difference. FOOTNOTE: Recent news ( stem cells from amniotic fluid, that have many of the same traits as embryonic stem cells. But, they are still adult stem
cells. However scientists point out that
this discovery should not be
used as a replacement for human embryonic stem cell research, and wish to
continue such research on embryonic stem cells.
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