The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Healthcare

Media Credit: Google Images

The core of our existence is still being placed under a microscope as a nation is torn between science and religion.

It was 50 years ago that the discussion was centered on evolution versus creation in our school systems; now the debate is on stem cells and whether they should be used to save lives or be destroyed.

According to the National Institution for Stem Cell Research, stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle, red blood or brain cell.

Pro-life believers see the research as indignation against human life. Their beliefs convey that human life is formed at the time of conception. So extracting cells from an embryo would be seen as a form of homicide. For many religious followers, this is just another form of killing life.

The late Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, said in 2006 that "destroying an embryo is equivalent to abortion. Excommunication is valid for the women, the doctors and researchers who destroy embryos."

Such strong conviction has led Washington to take a major role in the decision of research funding. Last summer, President Bush vetoed legislation that would fund research for embryonic stem cells.

"If this legislation became law, it would compel American taxpayers for the first time in our history to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos," he said.

Although government funding was not approved, many private donors and sponsors have raised enough money to break ground on a $115-million stem cell research facility scheduled to open in San Diego by 2010.

Many Americans have mixed emotions on the stem cell issue, as some feel this medical advancement will help shape many of today's medical dilemmas.

"I believe strongly that this consortium will, in time, lead to significant scientific advances and life saving results," said Marye Anne Fox, chancellor of UC San Diego.

Even Presidential candidate Hilary Clinton has exercised her views that ideology should not interfere with federal funding.

"When I am President, scientific integrity will not be the exception; it will be the rule."

As more information is becoming available on stem cell research, Americans will continue to see mixed emotions from people, until a new dilemma brings religion and science to opposite ends.

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