Stem Cell Research
An Overview of Stem Cell Research
In November of 1998, scientists reported that they had successfully isolated and cultured human embryonic stem cells—a feat which had eluded researchers for almost two decades. This announcement kicked off an intense and unrelenting debate between those who approve of embryonic stem cell research and those who are opposed to it.
Stem Cell Research Bibliography
The following sources do not necessarily reflect the Center's position and, likewise, may or may not be consistent with a biblical worldview. These sources, however, are excellent resources for familiarizing oneself with the all sides of the issue.
Position Statement
Recent scientific advances in human stem cell research have brought into fresh focus the dignity and status of the human embryo. These developments require that the legal, ethical, and scientific issues associated with this research be critically addressed and articulated. Our careful consideration of these issues leads to the conclusion that human stem cell research requiring the destruction of human embryos is objectionable on legal, ethical, and scientific grounds.
Fetal Stem Cells and Parkinson Disease—promises never to be kept?
When fetal stem cells are publicly discussed, three diseases—often represented by their celebrity spokespersons—lead a list of potential therapeutic applications. They are Parkinson Disease (Michael J Fox), paralysis as a result of spinal cord injury (previously the late Christopher Reeve), and Diabetes Mellitus, type 1, (either Mary Tyler Moore or Ron Santo). The media packages the information as foregone conclusions: fetal stem cells are a veritable source of untapped, and then implied, “unlimited” therapeutic uses.
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Stem Cell Research Annotated Bibliography
The following sources do not necessarily reflect the Center's position and, likewise, may or may not be consistent with a biblical worldview. These sources, however, are excellent resources for familiarizing oneself with the all sides of the issue.
Cameron, Nigel M. de S., ed. Embryos and Ethics: The Warnock Report in Debate. Edinburgh: Rutherford House, 1987.
"Ethical" Embryonic Stem Cell Research?
Despite ongoing successes with adult stem cell research, recent months have seen the debate over embryonic stem cell research continue unabated.1 This is especially true in state legislatures across the country where dueling proposals to ban such research or to allow and fund it continue with fascinating political drama.
Frozen Embryos: Stem Cell Source or Human Life?
We live in an age of increasing disregard for the value of human life. The youngest members of our society are viewed as a commodity for use in research and for the development of possible cures for various diseases. The most vulnerable members of the human race often are referred to as “excess” embryos, “frozen tissue” in IVF clinics, “potential” human beings.
The Stem Cell Debate: Are Parthenogenic Human Embryos a Solution?
Under the "techno-jargon" title "Multilineage potential of homozygous stem cells derived from metaphase II oocytes," a group of researchers from the Stemron Corporation and Reproductive Biology Association have just reported on their creation--via a technique known as parthenogenesis--of human embryos for the purpose of obtaining stem cells (Stem Cells 2003:21:152-161).
The Interface Between Science and Ethics: Probing the Deeper Questions
Debates over bioethical issues necessarily involve people from diverse circles. Scientists, health care professionals, lawyers, clergy, and representatives from other disciplines join formally trained bioethicists in assessing the appropriateness of various forays within medicine and biotechnology. It is my hypothesis that the way scientists think is often so fundamentally different that the "answers" to bioethical issues offered by the non-scientific community are perceived as (at best) only minimally relevant by those who are actually pursuing the research in question.
