In class our discussion focused on how to think ethically about stem cell research. The following notes are taken from what appeared on the board by the end of the class:
STEM CELL RESEARCH
[proponents highlight possible benefits: tissue regeneration through “genetic imitation” (?)]
What is stem cell research?
Stem cells – developmental term describing undifferentiated cells [these are living cells]
Some ethical issues focus on where these stems are found:
- umbilical cords
- embryonic cells
- adult cells [problematic because of differentiation possiblities]
Questions to be answered?
Some discussion considered the role propaganda plays in presenting issues.
- What is propaganda?
- Can propaganda be used ethically?
A major question is “Where/when does life begin?” [define “life”]
How is an embryo alive?
Donated eggs and sperm are used to develop embryos outside of a mother’s womb.
How is “embryo related to “child”? [Does this constitute human life? a human person?]
Define “personhood” = anyone with a random capacity to …[this phrase was left unfinished; see Catholic Church’s definition]
Who has authority? [Who has the authority to determine what is true?]
What is truth?
Class AGAIN ended up discussing the issue of holding an "opinion" and articulating opposition another's opinion. One student suggested that one may be offended by such opposition when one may have doubts about one's own opinion. I modified that to include having long unanswered questions lingering in one's mind (but then again, how is doubt related to questioning?). The Roman Catholic Church has been careful to articulate what is to be believed by faithful Christians through Magesterial teaching drawn from Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
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