LEARN ABOUT ORIGINAL CELL (Last part)

Author: Dr. Tran Manh Hung , MA, STD
Original English

10. Moral concerns

Is embryo a person or not?

Controversy on embryonic stem cell research involves one of the fundamental problems that the whole society cares about in the debate about avoiding pregnancy, abortion and in vitro fertilization. The main question of the debate is about the nature of human life at the new stage of formation, as well as the moral and legal position of human embryos. Research on embryonic stem cells often requires separating the internal cell mass from surplus embryos, not needed, by couples who have completed the infertility treatment program. This makes the embryo unable to continue to grow. Although that embryo will be destroyed regardless, some argue that morally, using embryos in good research or treatment purposes is not acceptable. They believe that human life begins right from the moment (or moment) of fertilization, and so society is destroying the commitment of human rights as well as the commitment to protect the individual resistance, if the workpiece is used for such purposes. Some religious and cultural traditions oppose the use of human life for other purposes, no matter how noble that goal is. Other traditional notions support embryonic stem cell research because they believe that embryos are only considered to be people who have been developing for weeks or months.

Some people will emphasize the duty to cure sick people and ease the pain of the sick - this is the goal that research on embryonic stem cells has great potential - they support research. embryonic stem cells are also for this reason. Recent public opinion surveys show that the majority of people in countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, support the study of embryonic stem cells, although the public opinion seems to be contradictory in its creation. Out and use human embryos for research purposes only. In this regard, President George Bush said at the press conference that 'our conscience invites us to pursue the potential of science, but still respect human values and maintain religious values. virtue'. ¹¹

In the approved Directive of the President with the title 'Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways' (roughly translated as 'Expanding the patterns of acceptable stem cells in accordance with the moral responsibility method '), President Bush instructed to conduct research on other sources of almighty stem cells. These stem cell samples, according to the above directive, can be "harvested without creating human embryos for the purpose of studying or destroying, removing or harming human or fetal embryos."

In the President's directive also affirms: 'Destroying the newly formed life for the purpose of research is violating the principle of respecting the principle of sanctity, which stipulates that: do not use any life, just as a means to gain medical benefits for others. '

'Human embryos as well as fetuses are living members of humanity, not raw materials for exploitation or supplies to bring to trade.'

The indicator of embryo definition is ' living being created by fertilization, cloning or any method derived from one or more gametes (human eggs or sperm) or diploid cells. of human.' ^twelfth

Benedict XVI, encouraging scientific research on adult stem cells. He said that it is the work of respecting human life as well as opening up attractive potentials to treat existing diseases that still do not have cure.

The Pope affirms that the Church does not object to science, but 'disagrees with the forms of research that harm human beings even though they are not yet born' as is the case with embryos leading to embryos. to be destroyed. Benedict XVI deployed this issue on Saturday, September 16, 2006, at Castel Gandolfo (Italy), his summer retreat, giving a speech to guests and attendees. Attending an international conference on "Stem Cells: Future Therapy?" ¹³ . During the conference, he said: 'Progress can only be considered true, if it serves the benefit of people, and helps people develop themselves, not only technical ability but also energy. moral force '.

From this point of view, 'the study of adult stem cells deserves support and encouragement, while providing scientific knowledge, along with the most advanced technology in the field of medicine, while ensuring love moral demand respects human existence, at any stage. ' In that context, the Pope mentioned a promising horizon that was opened up in the treatment of diseases, involving 'tissue degradation leading to the risk of being disabled and causing death to patients. '.

Therefore, Benedict XVI advocated the study of adult stem cells, distinguishing it from the stem cells derived from human embryos that were condemned by the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church believes that the embryo is a complete person. In that way, the Church condemned abortion behavior as well as the clever use of genetics, such as the study of embryonic stem cells.

Unlike embryonic stem cells or newly developed embryonic primitive cells that are capable of developing into most types of tissue in the body, adult stem cells divide to supplement, renew and replace those cells are about to die, and recover damaged tissue. Adult stem cells can be obtained from adult tissue samples, unlike embryonic stem cells, which are readily used to treat many diseases, including many forms of cancer.

CONCLUDE

The field of stem cell research promises great promise for the treatment of diseases and injuries, but that prospect is not limitless. There are still challenges that (now) science seems insurmountable for the use of embryonic stem cells as a medical treatment for injury and disease. In contrast, research into adult stem cells also offers the same great potential but overcomes the political, moral and social barriers, compared with the use of human embryonic stem cells in research. Clearly there is a lot of work to do until stem cells, whatever their age, can be used as a medical treatment. Jobs are considered as having a practical character, which is to invest talent in a method that will bring success after a long process. With conundrums, related to embryonic stem cells and the non-binding in the field of adult stem cell research, it is thought there will be no convincing scientific argument for concurrence. of the public on human embryo studies.¹⁴

Speaking at the end of the weekly general audience (Wednesday 27 June 2007), Benedict XVI welcomed delegates at a global conference on the use of adult stem cells to cure cardiovascular problem organized by La Sapienza University in Rome. He said: 'Scientific research needs to be encouraged and motivated, as long as it does not harm others. They have invincible values right from the very beginning of life. ' ¹⁵

Note:

¹⁰ . See Pope John Paul II, in the Evangelium Vitae message, No. 60.

¹¹ . President George Bush used his veto power to kill the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, a bill he said "would compel American taxpayers - for the first time in our history - to support the destruction of human embryos by deliberate." (Zenit News, 20 June 2007).

¹² . Ibid.

¹³ . The symposium, held last Thursday through Saturday (14-16 Sept. 2006) at the Augustinianum Institute of Rome, was organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.

¹⁴ . See Maureen L. Condic, 'The Basics About Stem Cells,' First Things (January 2002). See also President George Bush who also supports adult research, for example, Bush again vetoes stem cell Bill, The Australian, 22 June 2007.

¹⁵ . Pope backs adult stem cell research, ABC News - Posted Thurday, June 28, 2007.

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Update 17 December 2018

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