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Old and New Ethics in the Stem Cell Debate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Richard M. Doerflinger
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Extract

The ethical debate on embryo research, particularly on whether to destroy human embryos for stem cell research, is sometimes said to involve a confrontation between religion and science. The claim is misleading at best. Ironically, religious claims have not infrequently been invoked by those who support human embryonic stem cell research, who have said that such research will enable us to “answer the prayers of America’s families” or present us with “the biblical power to cure.” And even religious organizations (as well as scientists and ethicists who share some of their concerns on this issue) have often made the case against the ethical acceptability of this research relying on science, and on general ethical considerations that transcend religious divisions. The Catholic Church, in particular, maintains that the ethical norm against directly taking the life of any innocent human being can be understood and embraced by people of good will, with or without religious faith, and that the application of this norm to the present controversy depends on an understanding of some basic facts about early human development.

Type
Symposium
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 38 , Issue 2 , Summer 2010 , pp. 212 - 219
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2010

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