Medical View

Religious leaders have a strong influence upon Stem Cell Research, so they need to understand the medical perspective of the research. Stem cells from human embryos have the possibility of developing into any type of cell, possibly entire organisms. Although the adult stem cells are the most common, embryos are the most beneficial. Stem cells are able to create skin grafts, generate bone marrow for leukemia patients, and repair stricken hearts. Stem Cell Research should be approved because the cells can develop into tissues and treat many diseases. The controversy should be to a minimum because Blastocysts used for research would be discarded anyways. Such embryonic stem cells can keep dividing for many generations. The medical advancement is superior to the religious immorality in order to advance the country.

Support

Support has rapidly grown for the promotion of Stem Cell Research. The people that have heard much about the research, 68% say that the research is very important, 25% say that embryos should not be destroyed, and 7% do not know. According to a poll taken in June by the Results of America, if experts thought the research could cure Alzheimer’s disease 72% would be more likely to support it. The debate has taken so long, and it needs to be resolved soon. Scientists in Europe and Asia have become more advanced.

Political View

Many politicians have stated their opinions about the religious aspect of Stem Cell Research. According to President Bush, “. . . raises fundamental questions about the beginnings of life and the ends of science.” Also stated by George W. Bush, “People of different faiths, or the same faith, are coming to different conclusions. John Kerry believes that scientists are pursuing the research with a moral compass. Kerry states, “We must look to the future not with fear but with hope and faith that advances in medicine will advance our best values.” The controversy and debate over stem cell research need to come to an end as soon as possible.

Religious Influence

Some drastic changes of Stem Cell Research due to religion are threats to the progress of Stem Cell Research which places the future health of all people in the hands of religious leaders. Religion can sway people to believe or not believe in research that can change the future. The controversy rages when the morality of using embryos is discussed. However, many different religions have diverse “rules” that are relative to the stage of human life. There are two specific questions that define the promotion or disapproval of Stem Cell Research: When does the life of the embryo begin? At what phase does human life deserve legal fortification? The religious aspect of the matter is the questioning due to the status of sacred life of the miniature embryos. Different religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have different views that encourage or condemn Stem Cell Research, changing the future of the world.

Christianity

Although many religions completely believe that stem cell research is immoral, different types of Christianity approve or disapprove the research. The Roman Catholic Church opposes funding, therefore does not want the funding to continue. The Roman Catholic bishops think that sacrificing lives is morally wrong. However, the Presbyterian Church USA approves Stem Cell Research because there is no other way to accomplish the task and research. The Bible itself supports the victory over physical sickness. A characteristic of Jesus’ ministry was healing (Mathew 4:23-24). Nancy Pelosi refers to Stem Cell Research therapy as “the biblical power to cure.”

Islam

Although each religion has its own set of “rules”, the Qur’an is a set of guidelines for the Islamic people. Islamic followers believe that the use of embryos doesn’t violate Islamic law. Islam also allows abortion fetuses to be used for the research if performed before the fourth month. Iftekar Hai, the director of Interfaith Relations for the United Muslims of America, believe that the embryo is not in “God’s environment,” and the embryos are from the “leftovers in a laboratory dish.” Because Islamic belief allows its people to support the research, the medical future can be improved for all generations. Stem Cell Research is considered to be an act of faith because it is improving human life, and increasing medical knowledge.

Judaism

According to Laurie Zoloth, a Jewish studies scholar at San Francisco State University, “Disease doesn’t strike you based on your religious or ethical preferences.” Stem Cell research is strongly encouraged by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and they believe that the funds should not be cut off. Also, Stem Cell Research is promoted by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregation approves the research because the embryo doesn’t have a full status of life. Because of the status and use of Stem Cell Research, the Jewish community powerfully supports the revolutionary research.

Controversy

Due to the status of the embryo, controversy has aroused to decide whether to advance the medical future of America. Although all people would like to increase the medical knowledge of their country, the question is how to come about such an enormous task. The embryos used for the research are going to be disposed of anyways despite if used for research or not. It is necessary to use embryos because the adult stem cells can only transform into a restrictive amount of new cell varieties. The controversial topic about Stem Cell Research is how a person views the fertilized egg. The issue for the people who oppose research is that by removing the inner mass cells, the result is the destruction of the embryo. Despite the loss of embryos that will be discarded, the Stem Cell Research funds should not be cut off in order to save individual lives of patients in need.