Text 3100, 104 rader
Skriven 2006-11-05 17:59:56 av Alan Hess
Ärende: religions on ESC
========================
This is from columnist Dan Rodricks' blog on baltimoresun.com.  It discusses
the positions of various religions on embryonic stem cell research, and three
myths about it.  I knew about the Jewish position, having asked my rabbi many
moons ago.

***********

Christianity and stem cells

This Just In . . .  from an organization called the Institute for Progressive
Christianity:

The following articulates a theological basis for Christians to support the
federal funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Contrary to popular belief,
there is no single "Christian" position-let alone single religious position--on
stem cell medical science. This statement is intended to correct three (3)
commonly held myths regarding this research. To read about other Religious
Right myths on stem cell research by going to the IPC Web Site at:
http://instituteforprogressivechristianity.org/joomla/
MYTH 1: ADULT STEM CELL RESEARCH HAS ELIMINATED THE NEED FOR EMBRYONIC STEM
CELLS Those who oppose this research on religious grounds too often make their
arguments using incorrect premises. They claim that adult stem research renders
embryonic stem cell research unnecessary. They will also incorrectly claim that
adult stem cells are being used for treatments of sixty to seventy different
medical conditions: this too is a gross exaggeration. Such statements are an
assault of mendacity being led by US Senator Same Brownback (R-Kansas);
Brownback, cooperator for Opus Dei, an ultra-orthodox Catholic lay group that
is leading the war against this research.

As a recent press release from the Genetics Policy Institute observed:

"On July 13, 2006 three stem cell experts published a letter in the journal
"Science", along with detailed supporting data, that has demolished the
lynchpin argument and key talking point of the religious right and others who
oppose the expansion of funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Dr. David Prentice of the Family Research Council had long- promoted a list of
65 medical conditions supposedly treated by adult stem cells, thereby sending
the message that adult stem cells were currently delivering treatments and thus
there was no need to fund embryonic stem cell research.

The letter to "Science" stated in its concluding paragraph: "By promoting the
falsehood that adult stem cell treatments are already in general use for 65
diseases and injuries, Prentice and those who repeat his claims mislead
laypeople and cruelly deceive patients. . . . Only nine of the so-called
treatments were actually approved by the FDA. In fact, much of the Prentice
list was comprised of anecdotal data drawn from such sources as testimony from
Congressional hearings, distortions of published research reports and even a
newspaper clipping," said Bernard Siegel, executive director of the Genetics
Policy Institute."

Furthermore, many well-respected adult stem cell researchers have repeatedly
stressed the importance of embryonic stem cell research for comparative
analysis. The success of each depends upon the other.

MYTH 2: ALL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSE EMBRYONIC STEM CELL AND SOMATIC CELL
NUCLEAR TRANSFER RESEARCH. In reality, different organized religions take
different or no position at all on the research. In fact, many religious
organizations, including the Presbyterian Church USA, the Church of England,
the American Jewish Congress, United Church of Christ, the Union of Orthodox
Jewish Congregations of America, Foundry United Methodist Church and a clear
majority of America Roman Catholics all support this potentially life saving
research.

All four branches of Judaism support embryonic stem cell research pursuant to
the halakic doctrine of pekuach nefesh-the preeminence of saving a life in
being. Under Jewish Law a fourteen-day embryo has the same status as water.
There is a very similar concept in Christian thought known as Epikiea. Great
thinkers of the Judeo-Christian tradition have always understood that sometimes
one needs to break the letter of the Law in order to achieve the spirit of the
Law.

The Gospels consistently detail how Jesus adhered to Pekuach nefesh through His
many acts of healing. And as Christians who have read the Gospels, the IPC
leadership cannot cite one example of Jesus directly refuting pekuach nefesh.
It logically follows that a Jesus who lived by Jewish law raises a presumption
that He would not oppose this vital medical research. If anything, His healing
the infirmed and disabled along with raising the dead contradicts those who
oppose this research solely on religious grounds.

MYTH 3: PRESIDENT BUSH, US SENATOR JIM TALENT, US SENATOR RICK SANTORUM OPPOSE
EMBRYONIC STEM CELL AND NUCLEAR TRANSFER RESEARCH BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSISTENTLY
PRO-LIFE. If President Bush were truly pro- life, why did he-as well as
research opponents US Senators Jim Talent and Rick Santorum as well as Rep.
Jean Schmidt, all continue--to take hundreds of thousands of dollars in
campaign contributions from tobacco special interest groups? Consider this:
tobacco has the potential to end lives but embryonic stem cell and somatic cell
nuclear transfer research have the potential to save lives.

Institute for Progressive Christianity Website
About The Institute for Progressive Christianity

IPC serves as an educational facility to conduct research, affect and advance
policy, educate the public, and influence every sphere of American public life,
including politics, academia, arts, and the church. Of further interest, IPC
will present a day- long Symposium on Progressive Faith and Contemporary
Politics to be held at the Washington Plaza Hotel, Ten Thomas Circle,
Washington DC 20005. The event will feature Naomi Wolf and is co- sponsored by
the National Council of Churches.

Please join us on November 18th 

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