Stem cell research (see micrograph of a cultured cell above) has raised objections from the conservative Roman Catholic and the Evangelicals mainly because “ they say “ it’s like playing God in creating or destroying a potential human life.
Stem cells are obtained mainly from discarded embryos that otherwise would have to be destroyed. They have the capacity to become any type of cell, for instance liver, heart or brain cells. Potentially they could be used to treat Parkinson, Alzheimer, hepatic cirrosis, and other incurable diseases. Those that favor this type of research point to the fact that alleviating human suffering is more important than preserving a cell that “potentially” could become an embryo.
Fortunately, scientists at the University of California SF are finding ways to revert skin or other types of cells to their pluripotential state, and in that case it won’t be necessary to use human embryos.
Manuel Figueroa
http://www.goodhealthtoday.biz
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