We Must Hang Tough!
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - a Bridge Too Far
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
As per Dignitas Personae (2008) of Pope Benedict XVI's era,
30....The ethical objections raised in many quarters to therapeutic cloning and to the use of human embryos formed in vitro have led some researchers to propose new techniques which are presented as capable of producing stem cells of an embryonic type without implying the destruction of true human embryos. [49] These proposals have been met with questions of both a scientific and an ethical nature regarding above all the ontological status of the “product” obtained in this way. Until these doubts have been clarified, the statement of the Encyclical Evangelium vitae needs to be kept in mind: “what is at stake is so important that, from the standpoint of moral obligation, the mere probability that a human person is involved would suffice to justify an absolutely clear prohibition of any intervention aimed at killing a human embryo”. [50]
How Did that Lead to a Perception of Approval?
As per footnote 167 of the New Charter for Healthcare Workers (2015) of Pope Francis' era,
Non-embryonic stem cells can come from (a) an aborted fetus; (b) fetal cells derived from the amniotic fluid before birth; (c) the placenta or the umbilical cord immediately after birth; or (d) the body of the infant or adult, and then they are called "somatic" cells. Furthermore, today there are also iPS cells (induced pluri-potent stem cells). These are somatic cells generally dermal fibroblasts that have been genetically reprogrammed. They have characteristics similar to those of embryonic stem cells, but they are not obtained by the destruction of embryos.
Conclusion
I cannot find where the Vatican changed caution on IPS to FULL STEAM AHEAD!
Did an editor choose to act "as though" ontological doubts were settled?
About the Author
Joe Tevington is a proudly orthodox Catholic, a husband since 1986, a dad to two adult children, a grandpa to two, and a civil service retiree. He is a sign language fluent certified rehabilitation counselor with graduate degrees in deafness rehabilitation, religious studies/moral theology, & Christian counseling psychology, as well as a catechetical diploma and certificates in benefits planning and Catholic social ministry. He deeply appreciates Catholic teaching on the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of the transmission of human life, as well as how they are to inform us in our apostolates and ministries.
On much lighter notes, he fancies himself to be the foremost authority on his native Brooklyn, when it comes to architecture, cinema, geography, history, Italian food, stick ball, stoop ball, or wiffle ball.
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