There are many ethical arguments for and against stem cell research and therapy, regarding issues such as the types of cells, the sources and techniques of production, and use of them. There are few concerns about research on or therapeutic uses of adult stem cells. However, embryonic stem (ES) cells have been associated with serious ethical debates. The use of this new science and technology for human reproduction has prompted ethics and policy disputes around the world. There are studies done that confirm the complexity of the issues raised by stem cell research. These studies put forward main themes, such as: theories/views on policy development, issues with focus on science and health, issues related to the supply of embryos, non-embryonic
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Ensoulment is defined as the time when the entity becomes a human being, and many religions agree when an entity becomes a ‘person’. The thing that causes a lot of disagreements is the moment in which a soul arrives. Judaism don’t consider the embryo in the early stage of pregnancy to have a soul, so stem cell research is permissible according to most branches of Judaism (Hinman, 2009; Childress, 2004; Ohara, 2003; Bioethics Advisory commission, 2000). According to most Jewish scholars is not considered sacred until the fourth month of pregnancy (Pompe et al, 2005). In Christianity, the current belief is that ensoulment happens at the moment of conception. Thomas Aquinas, however, believed that the soul arrives around the third month of pregnancy. Aritototles and Talmudic believed that ensoulment occurred at the forty day mark of gestation (Balint, 2001). Although this opinion was accepted by many influential figures in the Christian faith, increased practice of abortion in the 18th century led to a change in the Church's thinking. It was then that Pope Pius IX announced that ensoulment occurs at fertilization, and his viewpoint was followed by Christian (Balint, 2001). Because of the view that ensoulment occurring when contraception does, Christianity is against the use of ES cell research and
Ensoulment is defined as the time when the entity becomes a human being, and many religions agree when an entity becomes a ‘person’. The thing that causes a lot of disagreements is the moment in which a soul arrives. Judaism don’t consider the embryo in the early stage of pregnancy to have a soul, so stem cell research is permissible according to most branches of Judaism (Hinman, 2009; Childress, 2004; Ohara, 2003; Bioethics Advisory commission, 2000). According to most Jewish scholars is not considered sacred until the fourth month of pregnancy (Pompe et al, 2005). In Christianity, the current belief is that ensoulment happens at the moment of conception. Thomas Aquinas, however, believed that the soul arrives around the third month of pregnancy. Aritototles and Talmudic believed that ensoulment occurred at the forty day mark of gestation (Balint, 2001). Although this opinion was accepted by many influential figures in the Christian faith, increased practice of abortion in the 18th century led to a change in the Church's thinking. It was then that Pope Pius IX announced that ensoulment occurs at fertilization, and his viewpoint was followed by Christian (Balint, 2001). Because of the view that ensoulment occurring when contraception does, Christianity is against the use of ES cell research and