By Gabrielle Thelen

Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to turn into specialized cell types. Commonly, stem cells come from two main sources: 1) Embryos formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development 2) Adult tissue

Stem cells can be guided into becoming specific cells that can be used to regenerate and repair diseased or damaged tissues in people. People who might benefit from stem cell therapies include those with spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, and burns.

The goal of scientists is to work with stem cells, specifically embryonic, to develop them into specific kinds of cells. In doing this, scientists hope to cure different diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any kind of body cell. In order to get these stem cells, scientists must collect them from living human embryos. Scientists collect these stem cells from living the very early stages of a fertilized egg called a blastocyst. The embryos are destroyed in this process.

Adult stem cells have the ability to become many different cells, but not all. Some places adult stem cells can be collected from the body (spine, brain, skin, etc.), amniotic fluid, and other stem cells because some stem cells can multiply into others. All of these processes are harmless.

The Church supports most stem cell research which typically obtains cells from adult tissue, umbilical cord blood, and other sources. This type of research poses no moral problem. On the other hand, the ethical issue involved in embryonic stem cell research is that researchers must harvest stem cells from living human embryos, thus destroying them. Even though the purpose of this type of research might produce a good result, it does not justify the evil means of the destruction of innocent human life. It is a disrespect to the Right to Life.

“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth” (2270).

The Bible teaches that the child in the womb is truly a human child and even has a relationship with the Lord; therefore, it is wrong to destroy this life. “Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3).

The “Declaration on The Production and The Scientific and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells” is a magisterial document that discusses the immorality of embryonic stem cell research. “As a human individual it has the right to its own life; and therefore every intervention which is not in favour of the embryo is an act which violates that right.” e/documents/rc_pa_acdlife_doc_ _cellule- staminali_en.html

The use of stem cells can be very beneficial, but the use of embryonic stem cells poses a moral problem. The extraction of stem cells from the embryo destroys the embryo, thus going against the principle of the Right to Life. Adult stem cells are extremely affective and do not harm the human body when extracted; therefore, there is no moral problem in this research.