Theology: the Stem Cell Research Debate - Essay Example

Theology: The stem cell research debate Introduction In the present day, debates related to religious beliefs are apparentin every part of the world. These issues/debates influence the religious beliefs and further affect the way individuals act in the world. In particular, most of these issues/debate lead to controversies, worries, doubts or anxiety as witnessed in diverse religions in different parts of the world. This paper helps in creating a basic understanding of how theology is done. It selects a specific current event issue, the stem cell research, which is related to religious beliefs. The main objective of this paper is to explore the way religious beliefs are applied to real issues in order to offer the believer a way of acting in the world. It intends to find out the basic religious beliefs linked to and inform a believer’s views on the stem cell research issue. This paper, also, describes what historical ideas and practices from the religious tradition apply in particular to the way the believer forms their views on stem cell research issue. Additionally, it offers a personal point of view on a religious perspective which is supported by employing the basic beliefs that are applicable. Finally, this paper puts forward a conclusion of the observations made on stem cell research issue. The stem cell research debate The stem cells have a capability of creating a number of tissues that can be applied in treatment advances to incapacitating or terminal illnesses. Even though, a significant number of uses of the stem cells are still under investigation, this type of research has activated optimism and assurance accompanied by alarms and social, ethical and religious debates/controversies in diverse parts of the world (Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani 87). In particular, there are few issues on the subject of applying the non-human or adult based stem cells. On the other hand, the embryonic stem cells studies are met with questions from the social, political and religious spheres. Over and above, even the government and non-governmental organizations take part in this debate with an aim of determining the best way forward. For the most part, the subject of stem cells studies is associated with person-hood and the aspect of human value/dignity. There are a number of ethical issues that are common in this debate. They include the source of stem cells, the morality of human embryos, the inclination of the commercialization of the life of human-beings, the subject of safety, germ line intrusion and the controversy of the entire stem cell percentage (Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani 88). However, it is clear that stem cell research is progressive, and much more contentious. In this regard, a number of religious groups have taken powerful stances on this subject. In particular, this subject is pinned on the ground of where the life of humans starts (Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani 88). This includes the time of fertilization, growth of the fetus/embryo, ensoulment and the time when a child is born. According to Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani (2011), a wide range of communities and religious groups indicate that the time when value is granted to human beings is when growth begins. Basic religious beliefs The stem cells research has spurred a number of religious beliefs/debates on ethical concerns that revolve around human dignity/value and safety. Many believers, from diverse religious groups and societies, have different views and concerns with regard to the religious and moral impact of stem cells research (Lewis 12). In particular, they present ethical issues that include the kind of cells, their origins and approaches of generating and applying them. Conversely, there are minimal issues on the subject of the treatment applications of adult stem cells, as compared to infant stem cells (Dresser 333). The application of the innovative science of human cloning and embryonic stem cells has generated ethical, religious and policy-related controversies from different parts of the world, such as, profanity and belittling of the Almighty God, for the Christians (Robertson 198). Many religious groups consider that stem cells research lead to the destruction of the human beings. This argument is based on the subject that the process entails tampering with the embryo, which is considered a person (Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani 89). This is based on the subject that embryos have the capacity to grow and develop to a complete human being. According to Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani (2011), religious believers consider that human beings must be respected and taken with dignity. On the other hand, a number of parties believe that embryos are non-persons, thus implying that no moral status should be vested on them. A number of individuals are concerned with the prospective advantages of the stem cells in medical field. These advantages are also met with the challenge of the safety of human beings. According to Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani (2011), many people believe that stem cells research poses danger to the life of human beings. Many people hold that the treatment capacity of the stem cells is short of factual evidence and plenty of materials are not evaluated during the scientific experimentations (Lewis 13). A number of religious believers think that there is plenty of data and information that must be studied in order to avert the safety issues on the subject of stem cells research. For example, issues, such as, tumors are believed to occur subsequent to cell injections (Zahedi-Anaraki and Larijani 90). Most of all, the people who accept the stem cells research believe that this scientific progress is in its primary stages and far-off the treatment applications. Historical ideas and practices from the religious tradition One of the main issues of concern of the subject of stem cells research is the establishment of the exact time when human life starts. This is referred to as ensoulment and explained as the period when the entity appears to be a human being on the subject of a number of religious views (Robertson 193). However, the time when the soul comes has remained an extended subject of controversy. In particular, the Judaism regards the extra-corporeal embryo at the pre-implantation period as a hereditary matter (Robertson 194). Therefore, stem cell research is clearly allowed with reference to many spheres of Judaism. With reference to the Jewish religious views, the human embryo is not regarded as holy pending the 4th month of pregnancy. According to Zarzeczny and Caulfield (2010), studies on stem cell and human embryo are permitted at this stage of life. In the Christian religion, at the same time as the present central beliefs/views are that ensoulment takes place during the time of conception, the soul appears during the 3rd month of pregnancy. With reference to St. Augustine, person-hood starts with ensoulment at 40 days of conception (Zarzeczny and Caulfield 5). St. Augustine’s view was not allowed by the Pope innocent III of the 1211 AD) and Gregory XIII of the 1550 AD. This was founded on the rising cases of abortion during the 18th century that resulted to the change of the Christian’s view. Presently, the Catholic Church considers person-hood starts during conception. According to Dresser (2010), irrespective of the powerful opposition of Catholics on the subject of stem cell research, Protestants have diversified their opinions on this debate. Moderately conformist protestant Christians back up the stem cell research, generally prior to the advancement of the early line at 14 days subsequent to conception (Dresser 334). It is apparent that many Muslim members consider the stem cell research acceptable in the society. However, they agree that there are a number of hindrances to the scientific progress on this subject (Lewis 13). With reference to the Islamic teachings, resolutions on the subject of stem cell research and human cloning must be founded on the benefits and appropriate control. On the other hand, a number of religious Muslims and bodies reject the subject human cloning and stem cell studies. This is with regard to the inevitable outcomes of these scientific processes (Lewis 14). In particular, when these scientific processes are integrated in order to treat human complications, they are moderately accepted with controls in pre-ensoulment periods of fetus growth (Robertson 199). The Islam teachings considers the ensoulment period as a crucial time when the complete significance of a human being begins to manifest. The Muslim community believes that human beings should be treated with maximum respect at every level of life. Student’s personal point of view From the literature acquired and observations made with regard to the fundamental beliefs that apply, it is possible to establish a strong personal point of view on a religious perspective. This view entails the need to have appropriate controls and regulation of the stem cell research in order to ensure that religious and ethical concerns on this subject are defended. In particular, issues related to human dignity, safety and morality need to be supported. It is apparent that, the stem cell research is a progressive activity that is in harmony with modernity. Therefore, it is of the essence to accept the stem cell research in a bid to find appropriate solutions for human medical complications and terminal illnesses. However, the right steps should be taken with regard to providing tangible facts and figures to the members of the public before implementing any scientific experimentation on human beings. Conclusion In conclusion, it is apparent that stem cells have brought in optimism in the field of science and medicine. However, there exist significant controversies/questions over the ethical, social and legal outcomes of the integration of cells in studies and therapies. It is also clear that the stem cells treatment alternatives cannot be conducted in a quick-fix. Also, stakeholders, such as, scientists, religious leaders and political/governing bodies debate the subject of stem cells research and endeavor tackling its outcomes through suitable ways. However, religious leaders take different stances in this debate, leaving the scientist with limited options with regard to its value to the human beings. In this regard, a number of scientists have indicated that the social, ethical and legal aspects of the subject are mere obstacles in the line of science and innovation. Over and above, it is possible to establish that there is a contradiction between the responsibility of reducing suffering and respecting human life. It is practical to control stem cell research than exclude it from the path of scientific advancement. Ultimately, the entire process needs to be regulated and keenly observed, in addition to, integrating the general members of the public in active debates that focus on creating practicable solutions/policies. Works Cited Dresser, Rebecca. Stem cell research as innovation: Expanding the ethical and policy conversation. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38.2(2010): 332–341. Lewis, Ricki. A stem cell primer. Biology Digest, 35.9(2009): 11-19. Robertson, John A. Embryo stem cell research: Ten years of controversy. Journal of law, Medicine & Ethics, 38.2(2010): 192-201. Zahedi-Anaraki Farzaneh and Larijani Bagher. Stem cells: Ethical and religious issues, Bioethics in the 21st Century 2011. Web. 7 Dec. 2014. Zarzeczny, Amy and Caulfield, Timothy. (2010). Stem cell tourism and doctors 1 duties to minors-aview from Canada. The American Journal of Bioethics, 10.5(2010): 3-15. Read More