Stem Cell research in Christian Ethics

STEM CELL

INTRODUCTION

Michael J . Fox , the celebrity-turned-advocate who has been strongly linked to the campaign for the legalization of stem cell research , has raised approximately 35 million for the duration of 4 years , in to support research efforts on Parkinson 's disease . He established the Michael J . Fox Foundation which is currently the second biggest funding agency in the United States . Mr . Fox has strongly campaigned for the application of stem cell technology as a promising new tool for the treatment of Parkinson 's disease and similar neurodegenerative diseases

Parkinson 's disease afflicts adults , which an age of onset of 40 years and is represented by persistent shaking of the extremities and rigidity of the muscular system , eventually resulting in difficulty in mobility Co-morbidity analyses have shown that Parkinson 's disease occurs together with senile dementia . In Mr . Fox 's own words , he has expressed his regret over the restriction and prohibition of stem cell research On the other side of the issue is the opposition , primarily spearheaded by the Catholic Church and related individual campaigning against abortion . These individuals claim that stem cell research is immoral and is a modified version of cloning . United States President George W Bush rejected the bill on stem cell research on August 2001 which stipulates prohibits funding of research programs on stem cell research As all stem cell systems have been put on hold in the United States laboratories around the world have continued with their research on stem cells , resulting in promising research results from the United Kingdom Japan and Spain , to name a few

STRENGTHS OF STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY

The discovery of the ability to manipulate embryonic stem cells has created the fields of regenerative medicine and cellular therapy , which aim to treat debilitating and /or fatal conditions that were earlier acknowledged to be incurable (Taupin , 1996 . Technically , cloning of embryonic stem cells involves collection of embryos that are ethically regarded at the earliest stages of human life (Brown , 2006 . However it should be noted that every new medical technology is always faced with opposite views by society and it is thus important that the scientific viewpoint should considered with respect to the strength and weaknesses of the stem cell research (Wobus and Boheler , 2005 . Thus there is a need for moral calculation or a choice on which side augments human life . This section will provide a comprehensive discussion on the importance of stem cell research in terms of human health . In assessing the benefits of stem cell technology on human health , it is important to determine the extent of advantage this technology brings . In addition it is also of interest identify possible scenarios wherein the stem cell technology can be combined with another technology in to generate an even more promising medical technique or therapeutic regimen

Stem cells are prime resources for somatic gene therapy

The employment of stem cell technology was initially designed to provide a way of generating cells and tissues that will be used...