EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

By: Meline Jeudy & Amber Guidry

Theology 11 A4 – Mr. Launay 2O1

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Is embryonic stem cell research intrinsically evil?

What is stem cell research & why is it important?

• Stem cells have many unique possibilities that offer hope for cures to many diseases.

• there are different types of stem cells:

-Embryonic stem cells

-Somatic or “adult” stem cells

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

• Stem cells harvested from an embryo created in a lab.

• Offers hope for curing diseases.

• More work needs to be done to understand how to use these cells.

Objections to the Catholic Position

• Scientists stand firm on continuing the research.

- they believe that the earliest form of stem cells offer the most hope.

“Research also shows that embryonic stem cells have the ability to regenerate, opening up the opportunities that an organ or tissue already on a human body could be regrown.”

Advantages of Embryonic Stem Cell Research | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4780664_advantages-embryonic-stem-cell-research.html#ixzz13gTDOyVk

Objections to the Catholic Position Cont.

• Many researchers and scientists do not recognize the cultured embryo as a living being.

“The embryos come from donors who were patients in fertility clinics who authorize the use of their embryos for research. The embryos were either not viable or no longer needed.”

- AJC Newspaper, special report: stem cell research

On the Contrary … The Teaching of Science

• There are also scientists that

support embryos as

living beings.

-“Embryos are not merely collections of human cells, but living creatures with all the properties that define any organism as distinct from a group of cells…”

- Georgia Right To Life Foundation

http://www.grtl.org/scrarguments.asp#References

On the Contrary … The Authority of the Bible

• The Bible teaches that a life begins

at the very moment of

conception.

- “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm

139:13)

On the Contrary … The Authority of the Magisterium

“Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it … It is the Church's role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from unwarranted or false claims.”

- The CCC (#1930)

The Catholic Church Answers That …

• The Catholic Church is NOT opposed to stem cell research.

• The Church supports research with adult stem cells, especially because it has had success.

The Catholic Church Answers That …• The Catholic Church IS opposed to embryonic

stem cell research.• Many Catholic leaders such as Bishops classify

it as “immoral and unnecessary.” http://www.americancatholic.org/news/stemcell/

The Catholic Church Answers That …

• Embryonic stem cell research is an intrinsic evil. - Involves the destruction of

human embryos- Taught to be related to

abortion and other attacks on innocent life.

http://www.americancatholic.org/news/stemcell/

The Catholic Church Answers That …

• Syllogistic Reasoning:

Murder is evil.Embryonic stem cell research is murder.

Thus, embryonic stem cell research is evil.

The Analysis of a Concrete Situation

A woman visits the fertility

clinic to have invitro fertilization, but the embryo is termed “not viable.” With the woman’s permission, the

embryo is then used for embryonic stem cell

research.

Analysis of a Concrete Situation

• Object: destroying an embryo for research purposes.

• Intention/End: research to find cures

Good or Bad

• Circumstance: Who? Embryo