Adult and embryonic stem cells-2 - Thesis Example

In fact, the uproar from Christian groups in the US was largely responsible for President Bush’s decision regarding research on human embryonic stem cells that put a ban on further production and use of hESCs, and limiting the research to existing sixty lines of hESCs. Though this consoled the priests and other religious figures in the US, this decision also received much opposition from other religious groups within US and other parts of the world. For instance, Protestants believed in the apostle that stated, ‘We may not do evil so that good may come.

’ The Orthodox Christian Church argued that ‘the very act of killing those embryos is evil, and we may not profit from evil even to achieve a good and noble end’ (Waters and Cole-Turner, 2003; p.173). Islamic scripture indicating that life begins in the embryo after 40 days post fertilization has given rise to many other perspectives on embryonic stem cell research (Peterson, 2003). However, the Hindu and Buddhist beliefs are not centered around the life of embryo but on doctrines of karma (action or duty) and ahimsa (nonviolence).

In connection with this, Jafari et al (2008, p. 90) point out that the intentions of donors, needs, scientists’ beliefs, and the potential recipients are important factors that determine the fate of embryonic stem cell (ESC) research and its clinical applications. This article concludes that Muslims, Jews and the majority of Protestants favor ESC research from a religion perspective (see Appendix 1.1), but do have moral and ethical considerations attached to destruction of embryos. The varied religious beliefs have resulted in great debate over ESC research in multiple dimensions that have emerged from theological, ethical, and/or moral convictions in various parts of the world.

Gotweis, Slater and Waldby (2009) argue that little evidence exists to prove