Stem cell research

[NightngaleShane]

I know the Catholic church believes embryotic stem cell research is morally wrong.

However, as long as it is legal, women all over the country will always get abortions. Isn’t it better to do something for the good of someone else with the embryos, as opposed to throwing them out?

Also, there are other ways to obtain stem cells besides the fetus, like bone marrow and umbilical cord. Why is it that when the words “stem cell research” come up, everyone automatically thinks of aborted fetuses only? Some people will jump on the subject and attack it without even realizing that embryos may not be the focus.

I started thinking about this topic after reading Pope Benedict’s new list of seven more deadly sins and wondering, “WHY is something like stem cell research dubbed SO morally wrong?”

I would love to hear some well-founded viewpoints on this as well as personal opinions.

 

[1ke]

I know the Catholic church believes embryotic stem cell research is morally wrong.

However, as long as it is legal, women all over the country will always get abortions. Isn’t it better to do something for the good of someone else with the embryos, as opposed to throwing them out?

You are confused about what embryonic stem cell research is and how embryos are obtained.

Embryos are not obtained from abortions. Aborted babies are of no use to embryonic stem cell researchers because they are well past the embryo stage. Furthermore the cells must be harvested while the child is alive not after it is dead.

Embryos are created in a lab specifically to harvest their cells. They are then destroyed in the process of harvesting the cells.

Also, there are other ways to obtain stem cells besides the fetus, like bone marrow and umbilical cord. Why is it that when the words “stem cell research” come up, everyone automatically thinks of aborted fetuses only?

#1 No one thinks of aborted babies because that’s not where stem cells come from.

#2 Not everyone automatically thinks “embryonic” when the term “stem cell research” is used. I for one always ask for clarification. The Church is clear that adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells pose no ethical issue.

I started thinking about this topic after reading Pope Benedict’s new list of seven more deadly sins and wondering, “WHY is something like stem cell research dubbed SO morally wrong?”

It is always wrong to create people outside of the natural sexual relations between spouses.

It is always wrong to kill people at any stage of development-- embryo through old age.

Embryonic stem cell research is always a grave moral evil.

 

[newbetx]

Exactly. It says, in reality, that there are those that are disposable. This is the main issue. Creating “disposable people” for the “advancement” of society. This is no different than slavery, forced prostitution or labor camps. To quote someone “The good of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” I don’t think this was meant to apply to the innocent unborn.

 

[feargalmac]

Embryonic stem cell research** is** morally wrong.

Adult stem cell research is O.K.