Re: [asa] Worthy of response?

David posted, in part: "His comments on stem
cell research are the standard lies that it's a guaranteed panacea
opposed only by religious numbskulls, when in reality there are only
certain conditions likely to benefit, the possibility of undesirable
side effects, and the real ethical question of the moral standing of
the embryos destroyed in the process."
 
No disagreement with David's main point here. But I do want to address
the three arguments he summarizes:
 
1. there are only certain conditions likely to benefit,
 
This does not seem to be a useful argument. No medical treatment can
treat ALL diseases.
 
2. the possibility of undesirable side effects,
 
This seems to also not be a useful argument. Most all medications have
some undesirable side effects.
 
3. and the real ethical question of the moral standing of the embryos
destroyed in the process.
 
Here seems to be the real issue. Do these entities (I use this neutral
term rather than "embryos) possess a moral status? This is a difficult
question to argue, but I think that it is the only real argument at
issue.

Part of the argument may be tied to the issue of "ensoulment," although
ensoulment is not necessarily necessary to an argument. But as a
Christian I subscribe to the concept, so I'll make the assumption that
"ensoulment" refers to a real action on God's part. Whether it is a
"event" (i.e. takes place at a definite point of time) or a "process
(i.e. takes place over a time period) does not seem to make a
difference,"

It would seem, based on various medical findings, that ensoulment does
not take place at conception and, indeed, does not take place until after
implantation has taken place. It is my understanding that the entities
used in stem research are harvested prior to that time. Therefore, since
ensoulment has not taken place, no "person" is destroyed and the process
must be (on this argument at least) morally neutral, akin to
contraception. I assume, contra the pope, that contraception is morally
neutral.

There was a recent issue of PSCF that argued much of the science and
ethics involved in all this. The above is just my (provisional) position,
and, as such, may change in the future as I learn more.

Burgy

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Received on Sat Sep 1 11:28:32 2007