Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Christopher Thomas Scott, the Director of the Stanford Program in Stem Cell Research, who tells us how the major organized religions of the world each view embryonic stem cell research:
Religions roughly separate into 2 categories: one generally support and one doesn’t and feel it morally wrong. [hmm…dichotomy?]
Those oppose embryonic stem cell research are usually in the organized category: there goes a disconnect b/w Christians (and Catholics) who go to church where church fathers and officials have another view of it [really?] and the rest.
Presbyterians and Methodists and others generally favor embryonic stem cell research.
The Jewish is strongly in favor primary because of the use of heals. (mandate of Judaic law: if you have medical technology to help someone you must use it.)
One of the major problems: the confusion about terms.
Get a common language before debate it : What embryo do you talk about?
To the embryologist and develop biologist : embryo is defined as a stage of development all the way from day 0 (fertilized egg? Which means one cell)~ the end of week 4.
Gradual definition of embryo is fetal stage.
Defined by Dr. Christopher Thomas Scott (from his book) : embryo in embryonic stem cell research would be 4~6 days w/ about 100 cells.
Just understanding what stage they’re talking about is place to start.
