STEM CELL RESEARCH

Stem cells are self-renewing, unspecialized cells that can give rise to all of the 210 specialized cells in the body. Differentiation is the process by which stem cells divide and form specialized cells that can perform special functions, such as blood stem cell formation or nerve cell transmission.

Stem cells may be totipotent, pluripotent, or multipotent. The fertilized egg and the first division into the two-cell blastomeres are totipotent, meaning that its potential is total, each capable of developping into a human being. In fact, identical twins develop when the zygote or blastomere separate and develop into two individual, genetically identical human beings.

A few days after fertilization, a hollow sphere called a blastocyst is formed, the outer cells of which are called the trophoblast and form the placenta, and the inner cluster of cells are called the inner cell mass. The inner cell mass are known as the pluripotent stem cells, and these form the embryo. While they can form all 210 types of cells of the human body, they are unable to form a human being, because they lack the trophoblast which attaches to the uterus and forms the placenta.

The pluripotent stem cells undergo further specialization into stem cells that are committed to give rise to cells that have a particular function, such as nerve stem cells or blood stem cells, which produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These more specialized stem cells are called multipotent.


LETTER OF NOVEMBER 5, 2006
Stem-cell research in itself is not the issue, but rather the concern is the source of stem-cells. The use of stem-cells from umbilical cords or adult bone-marrows without loss of natural life is considered ethical.

The moral viewpoint is opposed to the creation of embryos by in-vitro fertilization or somatic cell nuclear transfer and then harvesting stem cells and destroying the lives of the most vulnerable human beings for the benefit of those already living. To command the death of others so that one's own life may be enhanced or prolonged is completely opposed to human rights. In effect, it is a form of cannibalism - killing a human being for the survival of another.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ himself said: "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." When asked which ones, he referred to the Mosaic law (Exodus 20) and quoted , "Thou shalt not kill" (Gospel of Matthew 19:17-18).
LMH
1 Revised Standard Version of the King James Bible. Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1971.
2 Pope John Paul ll. The Gospel of Life. Time Books, Random House, New York, 1995.
3 Clark DK, STL. On Stem-Cell Research. Southern Cross, Savannah, GA, August 2, 2001.
4 Haddad LM, MD. Principles of Bioethics. Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio, 2003.


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