Stem Cell research vs Religion

Introduction

Stem cells usually are characterized to reproduce well in the same, without differentiation, and be capable of giving rise to cells of transition, with limited capacity for proliferation, led to highly differentiated cells (nerve, muscle, hematopoietic).

The Human Embryonic Stem Cells

The preparation of embryonic stem cells (ES, Embryo Stem cells) involves the production of human embryo and / or use of surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization and the removal of cells from the ICM at the blast cyst stage, requiring destruction of the embryo, embryonic stem cells are then cultured to produce large numbers of identical cells (Kristen, p. 56).

These cells are the starting point for the preparation of differentiated cells obtained by techniques being developed. These data have undermined the scientific, commercial and media by suggesting that the applications of cloning could open new avenues for therapy of serious diseases. These data were especially shocked the political world, especially in Great Britain, Japan, Australia and the United States where there is strong pressure for the federal funds can be used for research on human embryos.

Discussion

The subject is highly political in the U.S., and symbolizes the ideological confrontation between science and religion: Christian associations denounced the fact that human embryos must be destroyed before removal of embryonic stem cells, while a large part of the scientific community sees a very promising area of research for the cure of many diseases.

In 2001, George W. Bush announced in his first televised speech on prime-time ban on public funding of research on stem cells on moral and religious. But from his inauguration, Obama has revised the policy and decided to allow cell research already collected that can be supported by public funds, maintaining the ban on funding of public money with the collection of new cells stumps. With the decision of August 23, the review itself is canceled: research on cells already collected will not be able to take public financing.

Around the world, many religious leaders have commented on the moral acceptability of research on stem cells. Although research using adult stem cells or cord blood is relatively non-controversial, there is no consensus on the acceptability of using human embryos for research and so there is no consensus on the acceptability to produce lines of human embryonic stem cells (HESC) or using these cell lines in research (David, p. 20). There is also no consensus on the use of the transfer of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create HESC lines with specific characteristics. Religious obligations which are to 1) respect and protect human life because it is sacred and 2) prevent and alleviate human suffering create tension when assessing the moral acceptability of HESC research, taking into account of religion. A third religious obligation, which is to protect and promote distributive justice by providing universal access to treatment, establishes certain boundaries or limitations on the acceptability of research on stem cells.

Those with religious views articulated on stem cell research focus on the moral acceptability of HESC research, and ...