wfn.org | WCC FEATURE: Christian perspectives on stem cell research

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For immediate release - 18/11/2009 12:07:53

HEALING AND HOLINESS: CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES ON STEM CELL

>RESEARCH

>By Celia Deane-Drummond (*)

The rapidly developing field of stem cell research mobilizes
immense amounts of money in private and public grants. But it
also raises deep ethical questions regarding health justice and
the dignity of human life.

Stem cells have the ability to evolve into a diverse range of
specialized cell types. They can be cultivated so as to produce
cells identical to those of various tissues such as muscles or
nerves. Research in this field is oriented mainly towards finding
therapies for a number of diseases, from cancer to Parkinson's
disease. Embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of
human embryos to obtain the cells.

Key ethical and social issues related to stem cell research were
addressed by some 40 scientists, ethicists and theologians at an
international consultation that met in Greece at the Volos
Academy for Theological Studies from 9 to 11 November. All
participants left with perspectives changed by encounters across
nations, religions and cultures.

Dr Fabian Salazar Guerrero from Latin America challenged his
listeners: "The problems discussed in this consultation have
world dimensions. But those in the poorest regions of the world
are excluded from discussions. This exclusion kills in a long
agony".

The issue at stake here for those in the poorest regions of the
world is one of health justice.About 90 percent of the world
health budget is being spent on 10 percent of the world
population. The issue, put starkly, is this: why are so few
resources poured into curing the most basic, preventable
diseases, when so many resources are dedicated to stem cell
research? This applies to all forms of stem cell research, from
adult stem cell research through to embryonic stem cell research.
This problem is compounded by fears that unregulated stem cell
treatment will proliferate in nations that do not have the legal
and regulatory infrastructure to cope. The need for ova in
embryonic stem cell research has given rise to a new form of
exploitation of women.

Concerns for disparity in research spending matched a deep sense
of responsibility. From a Jewish perspective, Prof. Aviad Raz put
it this way: "'Know before whom you stand, and to whom you are
going to give account'…. The idea also comes from Moses standing
before the burning bush in Midian. Stem cells can be our burning
bush. We are forced to rethink humility, self awareness, and
accountability in the wider context of sustainable economy, the
environment, equity and disparities, and social justice. We are
all in this boat together."

The ethical and social difficulties forced participants to
consider more deeply their own religious traditions. They found
common ground in an affirmation of life as gift from God. This
means, in practice, listening carefully and with humility to
those who are different. A sense of the importance of
relationships, and the deep community spirit in those regions of
the world marginalized from high-tech science is a salutary
reminder to secular Western individualistic societies.

The rhetoric of stem cell research, full of promises for
increased longevity and enhanced human beings, seemed out of
touch with countries struggling for survival. At the same time,
some nations are lured into this technology by the prestige and
the promise of lucrative rewards. Prof. Un Hey Kim from Korea
insisted that "The question of who will be the beneficiaries of
stem cell research is crucial but not adequately addressed". Stem
cell therapy may not be the most effective approach for many
genetic diseases which are influenced by social and environmental
factors.

Given that the human being is, according to the Christian
tradition, created in the image of God, the special sanctity and
dignity of the human person struck a common chord. However, not
all Christians present were prepared to endorse the Roman
Catholic and Orthodox view that a human being – with personal
characteristics and a soul – is present in the fertilized ovum
from the very moment of conception. Nonetheless, participants
agreed with the strong intention to value human life as graced by
God from the very beginning.

All human life is surrounded by a profound mystery of being.
Rev. Prof. Vasileios Kalliakmanis suggested that while
Christianity needs "holy rules", it also needs the "ecclesial
economy" which allows for "a temporary divagation from them".
Flexibility may be present in particular pastoral situations.
This idea is rooted in a theological tradition of the Divine
Economy, knowing God as one whose holiness is always tempered by
love and mercy.

Overall the mood of the consultation was that of shared
struggle. Stem cells, including the most recent technologies such
as induced pluripotent stem cells, symbolize a thin end of a
wedge. Other bioengineering methods involving nanotechnology are
already on the horizon.

Participants agreed that if the church is going to speak into
this public sphere then education is vital. We need determination
to dig deep into the wisdom of religious traditions in order to
inform complex decisions. In as much as practical wisdom means
deliberation, judgment and action, all religious traditions
cannot afford to stand still, for inactivity amounts to
acquiescence.

>[837 words]

(*) Celia Deane-Drummondis professor of Theology and the
Biosciences at the University of Chester, U.K. 

>WCC project "Faith, science and technology":
>http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=3125

Executive summary from the consultation in Volos:
http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=7328

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