Stem cell go-ahead puts Obama at odds with Pope

Joseph Vella

Mar 13th 2009, 19:45

Allow me to use a hypothetical situation by which to make a critical point. On a visit to my medical specialist I am informed I suffer from a terminal illness which may be cured only through the injection of stems cells. My well meaning doctor, knowing I am a Catholic in good standing, who would not oppose Pope Benedict’s ban on stem cell research, asks that I sign a document refusing treatment for moral, religious or ideological treatment. The dilemma is in that, were I to sign my own death certificate I would in essence be guilty of abetting my own suicide. If on the other hand I chose to live, I would have been in violation of the Vatican’s rigid stance, and equally uncompromising admonition. The answer is self evident. The instinct for survival would have overshadowed any concerns over meritless morality, unless a patient of faith suffered from severe mental impairment.

leonardo vince

Mar 11th 2009, 16:51

Osservatore's editor-in-chief Gian Maria Vian asked: "Does that mean those who oppose embryonic stem cell research want to prolong human suffering?"

It looks like it ! ! !

Joseph Vella

Mar 11th 2009, 16:19

Andrew Camillieri

As things stand, President Obama's decision to allow experimentation with embryonic stem cells is the latest significant slap in the face for the Catholic church, in its losing battle in opposition to the unstoppable search for medical cures against formerly incurable disabling diseases. Each cumulative defeat is a step closer for the church, in its ignorance of scientific advancements, to lose its moral compass on a formerly captive audience no longer held in awe towards its magisterial authority, nor in fear of dogma or excommunication.

Andrew Camilleri

Mar 11th 2009, 14:52

@Flynn: The real issue is why is there need to perform research on embryonic stem cells? While admittedly adult stem cells (multipotent as opposed to pluripotent) are not ideal to culture tissues , on the other hand there have been recent advances which have allowed for the creation of pluriporent stem cells from adult cells; this basically hits two birds with one stone.

Scientists now have a possible viable alternative to ESCs; in my opinion, prolonging this issue smacks of gross immaturity on the part of these scientists. If they want people to 'get on board' for the good of humanity, they would not be poking their noses into ethically problematic issues, but rather targetting research to compromise solutions.

@Fenech: You're denying the realities, I'm sorry. Do a bit of reading and inform yourself before commenting. Stem cells are so frought with problems that any major cures are unlikely to be developed soon. I have very close relatives who suffer from degenrative disease which could be cured by stem cells, but that in no way justifies murder.

G. Fenech

Mar 11th 2009, 10:26

My father was, unfortunately, a victim of Parkinson's Disease.

And if this helps to find a cure, i hope they manage.

The church just needs to step into today's world and see the realities it keeps denying.

William P Flynn

Mar 11th 2009, 09:55

Let's not forget what is at stake here. Mankind is faced with the choice between believers of the healing qualities of gravediggers' gloves, bootlaces and weeping statues and scientific research and the hope that brings.

Look at the past. Where did the cures for mankind's diseases come from? Certainly not from any pope, cardinal, bishop, or miracle or any mumbo-jumbo. Just hard science.

As far as the destruction of human life, I can't see anyone saying coochee-coochee-coo to a petri-dish or a pipette. Knitting booties for a few hundred thousand zygotes would be a challenge.

Also, as the church wants to lobby it should start by paying taxes like every other incorporated or natural citizen.