Philosophy Resource Center The Radical Academy Main Menu Online Newsletter Academy Updates The M.J. Adler Archive The Dolhenty Archive Adventures in Philosophy Classic Philosophers Philosophical Critiques Philosophy Glossary Philosophy Quotations Philosophy Mini-Courses Thomas Aquinas Introductory Essays Philosophy Resources Politics Resources Religion Resources Education Resources Science Resources The Media Center Better Living Resource Center Business & Finance Resources Search Central Academy Bookstore Academy NewsStand Academy Emporium About the Academy Academy FAQs Ask the Academy Guestbook Academy Forum Calendar of Events Subscribe to Ezine Give Us Feedback Tell A Friend About Us Votecaster Cartoons & Comics Academy Chatroom
Essays, Opinion, & Commentary Select a Feature... Philosophy Main Page General Resources Philosophy Glossary Resources: Ancient Philosophy Resources: Medieval Philosophy Resources: Modern Philosophy Resources: Recent Philosophy Philosophical Quotations Philosophical Issues Articles & Essays Philosophy Mini-Courses Philosophy Resource Center Main Page
Academy Resources Glossary of Philosophical Terms Timeline of Philosophy A Timeline of American Philosophy Diagram: Development of Philosophic Thought Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy The Philosophy Resource Center The Religion Resource Center Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		What is the Simple Answer to the Stem Cell Research Dilemma? by Camille De Blasi Director, Center for Life Principles   Stem cells are undifferentiated master cells (cells that don't have an assigned job, yet). They will specialize into certain cell types when directed to do so by the body. For example, in the human embryo, some stem cells will be directed to transform into brain cells, others into bones, muscles, and organs. Scientists are eager to research on stem cells because they believe it may be possible to force stem cells into becoming whatever we want them to become, in order to cure illnesses and diseases. For example, scientists hope that they might be able to repair a damaged heart by injecting stem cells into it. They are researching how we can manipulate the cells to transform themselves into healthy heart cells and rebuild the damaged heart. Stem cells can be safely obtained from umbilical cords and placentas left over after birth, and from adult sources like bone marrow and fat tissue, without jeopardizing human life. However, some scientists prefer to use stem cells from the human embryo because they believe those cells are more "pliable," or more easily prodded into becoming what we want them to become. Since the only way to procure embryonic stem cells is to cause the death of the unborn child from which you are extracting them, such procedures are objectively wrong. Even in a state of cellular undifferentiation, the embryonic human being already contains the guiding force that will direct his cells into human orientation and growth. It is the same guiding force that continues to direct our growth and development throughout adulthood. As Patrick Lee and Robert George recently noted in Reason, Science, and Stem Cells: Why killing embryonic human beings is wrong, "[the human embryo] already has the potential to actively develop himself or herself to the further stages of maturity of the same kind of organism he or she already is." Although President Bush's decision not to provide government funding for the destruction of human beings for this kind of experimentation was very good, it was unfortunate that he compromised this position. He allowed funds to do research on the stem cell lines that have already been taken from babies who have already been killed. Respect for human dignity would dictate that we lack proper informed consent to perform research and experimentation on people we have deliberately and unjustly killed. It is like gold-digging through the teeth of concentration camp victims, and justifying it by saying, "They have died anyway. And now some good can come from it." This essay is courtesy of the Center for Life Principles, 2601 - 151st Place NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Telephone 1-877-345-LIFE. E-Mail: mail@lifeprinciples.net. Find them on the web at www.lifeprinciples.net. You may respond to this brief in The Radical Academy Forum Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine... Academy Showcase Specials Philosophy Resource Center Main Page
-- Top of Page -- [Homepage] [Newsletter] [Search] [Support the Academy] [Link to Us] [Contact the Academy] [Citing Articles from Our Website] [Privacy Policy & Disclaimer] Copyright 1998-99, 2000-01, & 2002-03 by The Radical Academy. All Rights Reserved.