Stem cell research and therapy is surrounded by much controversy. Proponents applaud stem cell research because it attempts to discover a solution for spinal injury, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and many other conditions that currently do not have a cure. But is stem cell research really trying to save lives by killing embryos?
Catholic Church Denounces Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The Roman Catholic Church has shown its support for adult stem cell research while completely disapproving of embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research necessitates experimentation on – and the eventual death of – human embryos. And that is where the trouble begins.
The Philippines hosted the first International Symposium on Stem Cell Therapy last April 7 and 8, 2011. This is ironic, given how the Philippines has a predominantly-Catholic population.
Embryonic stem cell research has been met with opposition by many Catholics, in the Philippines and in other countries. Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, after visiting the Philippines, spoke of the importance of human life regardless of size or age. “Taking the lives of young humans, whether as little boys or little embryos, cannot be pronounced ethical just because it may result in a significant benefit to older, more powerful, or more wealthy humans,” he said.
Catholic bishops in the U.S. also denounced embryonic stem cell research, calling it unnecessary and gravely immoral. But this opinion is not shared by stem cell researchers. During the stem cell therapy symposium, Dr. Piero Anversa from Harvard University explained, “There is no crime in using embryonic stem cells, but there is a crime in refusing to use embryonic stem cells even when we know that it just might hold the key to curing disease.”
Stem Cell Therapy Ongoing in the Philippines
“Stem cells have been used for many years to treat cancer in the Philippines,” Dr. Francisco Lopez, head of St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City’s Stem Cell Unit, explained during his lecture on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. “Healthy bone marrow stem cells are transplanted into the bone marrow of a patient with lymphoma or leukemia.”
Many trials are ongoing for stem cell therapy in solid tumors. “The use of natural killer cells derived from stem cells has reduced the growth of solid tumors in mice – and some tumors are actually disappearing,” Dr. Dan Kaufman announced during his lecture on Therapeutic Human Pluripotent Stem Cells at the symposium. “This should pave the way for more clinical trials that may establish the role of stem cell therapy in solid malignancies,” he added.
Stem cell research seems to be on the brink of a breakthrough. Critics continue to oppose embryonic stem cell research, emphasizing the importance of following an ethical protocol. Perhaps the critics and supporters of stem cell research in the Philippines shall never come to terms, but one thing is certain: stem cell research continues to pommel through.
Sources:
“International Religious Freedom Report 2010″, U.S. Department of State
Nancy Frazier O’Brien, “Embryonic stem-cell research immoral, unnecessary, bishops say”, American Catholic
“Stem Cell Basics”, Stem Cell Information
“Stem cell symposium at St. Luke’s Medical Center”, The Philippine Star
Tadeusz Pacholczyk, “Debating the Embryo’s Fate”, Catholic Education Resource Center