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{{cleanup}}== '''AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN VIEW POINT ON STEM CELLS RESEARCH''' ==  '''''What Are Stem Cells?'''''==The human body is made of billions and billions of cells, which have specific shapes, particular structures, and different functions. Cells of the same types type make tissues, and tissues make organs. Cells, tissues, organs , and systems make the human body. No matter how simple or complex an organism is, the cell remains the structural structurally and functional functionally basic units unit of life (there are even unicellular organisms, like bacteria.)   Some cells (but not all) have the ability to multiply by division. Most of the diseases known to medical science are due to malfunction of cells, to premature cell death, or to cells' wrong multiplication rates.

'''1.''' # they are unspecialized cells that can divide over and over for very long periods of time;  '''2.''' # under certain conditions, they can be induced to become cells with special functions (like muscle cells, liver cells, neurons , etc.)   Stem cells are naturally occurring in the human body (and other living organisms) at all levels of development. As organisms develop, stem cells become specialized types of cells. They are harder to find, and lose much of their ability to differentiate. Stem cells are the way the organism generates all the specialized cells needed for development and functioning.  There are two kinds of stem cells used in biomedical research:  '''1.''' '''Embryonic Stem Cells''' - which occur only in early development;  '''2.''' '''Adult Stem Cells''' - occurring in adult organisms; In the fetus, stem cells in developing tissue give rise to the multiple specialized cells types that make the human body. In some adult tissues, such as bone marrow, muscle and brain, discrete populations of adult stem cells generate replacement cells. While both types of stem cells are very important for biomedical research, the use of embryonic stem cells raises most of the bioethical issues.  Stem cells originating in human embryos can be categorized in ''embryonic stem cells'' and ''embryonic germ cells''. While there are many similarities between the two, there are also some significant differences.

After fertilization, Stem cells are naturally occurring in the zygote human body (fertilized eggand other living organisms) divides several timesat all levels of development. Any As organisms develop, stem cells become specialized types of the cells resulted from these divisions can give rise . They are harder to all the cells needed find and lose much of their ability to make up an adult organism. Basically, any of these cells can “act as an embryo”differentiate. These Stem cells are called '''totipotent stem the way the organism generates all the specialized cells'''needed for development and functioning.

After 3 to 5 days, prior to implantation into the uterine wall, the embryo achieves a stage called blastocyst. In the interior of the blastocyst there is a cluster of about 30 cells called the inner cell mass. The cells that form the inner cell mass There are two kinds of the blastocyst are called '''pluripotent stem cells'''. They have lost the ability to differentiate to all cell types needed for a complete embryo development, but they still have the potential to differentiate to any other cell type (up to day 14th post-fertilization).used in biomedical research:

As embryonic #''Embryonic Stem Cells'' - which occur only in early development proceeds, stem cells lose their pluripotency. In adults, the remaining stem cells only differentiate into cell types specific to the tissue ;#''Adult Stem Cells'' - occurring in which they reside (some recent studies seem to prove the contraryadult organisms.)

Embryonic germ cells share many of In the characteristics of the embryonic fetus, stem cells, but differ in significant ways. They are derived from developing tissue give rise to the primordial germ cells, which occur in a specific part of multiple specialized cell types that make up the embryo/fetus called the gonadal ridgehuman body. The gonadal ridge normally develops into mature gametes (eggs In some adult tissues, such as bone marrow, muscle, and sperm). Germ cells do not proliferate as long as brain, discrete populations of adult stem sells. Under certain conditions, germ cells do differentiate into specialized generate replacement cells. Germ While both types of stem cells and are very important for biomedical research, the use of embryonic stem cells also differ with respect to their growth characteristics in vitro, and their behavior in vivoraises most of the bioethical issues.

Adult stem Stem cells give the body’s ability to repair and replace the cells and tissues of some organs. Adult stem cells are rare, and their origin originating in mature tissue is not yet completely understood. It is supposed that they are somehow set aside during fetal development and restrained from differentiating. Adult human embryos can be categorized as either ''embryonic stem cells are dispersed in tissues throughout the mature organism and behave very differently depending on the local environment. Some recent studies focus on the ''plasticityor ''embryonic germ cells'' of . While there are many similarities between the adult stem cellstwo, which is the ability to differentiate in specialized cells of another tissuethere are also some significant differences.

The embryos used in After fertilization, the zygote (fertilized egg) divides several times. Any of the cells resulted from these divisions can give rise to all the cells needed to make up an adult organism. Basically, any of these cells can “act as an embryo.” These cells are called ''totipotent stem cell research come from three major sources:cells''.

'''AAfter 3 to 5 days, prior to implantation into the uterine wall, the embryo achieves a stage called blastocyst.''' '''In Vitro Fertilization''' - some the interior of the embryos used in human stem blastocyst, there is a cluster of about 30 cells research were initially created for infertility purposes through in vitro fertilization procedurescalled the inner cell mass. When they were no longer needed for The cells that purpose, they were donated for research with form the informed consent inner cell mass of the donorblastocyst are called ''pluripotent stem cells''. They have lost the ability to differentiate to all cell types needed for a complete embryo development (up to 14 days post-fertilization).

'''BAs embryonic development proceeds, stem cells lose their pluripotency.''' '''Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer''' - embryos can be created by transferring In adults, the nucleus of a donor remaining stem cells only differentiate into cell into an enucleated oocyte. The embryo will be genetically identical types specific to the tissue in which they reside (some recent studies seem to prove the donorcontrary.)

'''CEmbryonic germ cells share many of the characteristics of the embryonic stem cells but differ in significant ways.''' '''Embryonic Germ Cells''' They are obtained derived from aborted the primordial germ cells, which occur in a specific part of the embryo/fetus tissuecalled the gonadal ridge. The gonadal ridge normally develops into mature gametes (eggs and sperm). Germ cells do not proliferate as long as stem sells. Under certain conditions, germ cells do differentiate into specialized cells. Germ cells and stem cells also differ with respect to their growth characteristics in vitro and their behavior in vivo.

The stem cells extraction procedure ends the ability of the embryo to develop through implantation embryos used in the uterus. The removal of the stem cells brings the existence of the embryo to an end. Stem cell research promises not only to clarify some of the fundamental processes of life, but also some very interesting therapeutic possibilities. Nowadays scientific medicine is based on drug therapy. It is dominated by antibiotics, chemotherapy, antipsychotic agents and other pharmaceuticals.come from three major sources:

# ''In Vitro Fertilization'' - some of the embryos used in human stem cells research were initially created for infertility purposes through in vitro fertilization The scientific medicine procedures. When they were no longer needed for that purpose, they were donated for research with the informed consent of the future will donor.# ''Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer'' - embryos can be probably based on cell therapies, focused on repair and regeneration created by transferring the nucleus of tissues by a donor cell transplantsinto an enucleated oocyte. In a rough way: instead of administering lots of chemical substances in an attempt The embryo will be genetically identical to prevent cell malfunction or premature cell death, why not just replace the cells in question? Many scientists take the view that the benefits which might flow to humanity donor.#''Embryonic Germ Cells'' are obtained from this form of research are so great that it is important that it be allowed to proceedaborted fetus tissue.

'''''The Moral Status Of The Embryo'''''scientific medicine of the future will be probably based on cell therapies, focused on repair and regeneration of tissues by cell transplants. In a rough way: instead of administering lots of chemical substances in an attempt to prevent cell malfunction or premature cell death, why not just replace the cells in question? Many scientists take the view that the benefits which might flow to humanity from this form of research are so great that it is important that it be allowed to proceed.

The debate around Opponents of embryonic stem cells cell research is sensitive and controversial. Is have argued that it ethically acceptable to destroy involves the blastocyst? Many Christians believe deliberate destruction of an embryo and that it this is not and in order to respect every morally wrong, because embryos have the same moral status as human persons. When Robert Edwards (one of God’s childrenthe pioneers of in vitro fertilization) saw Louis Brown, they sustain that each created zygote is completely deserving of protection and ought not the world's first baby to be destroyedconceived by in vitro fertilization, he stated: "The last time I saw her she was just eight cells in a test-tube. To destroy a developing human at any stage is She was beautiful then comparable to murder. Most of the ethical debate around embryonic stem cell research , and she is centered on still beautiful now!" This shows the moral status continuity of embryos the person he knew “then” and fetusesthe person he knows “now.” Therefore, as well as the significance of human life begins at conception. Concerning the source use of embryonic or fetal material. Use tissue, opponents argue that use of adult stem cells seems this tissue is morally unproblematic problematic because it comes from this point of viewabortive procedures.

Opponents of embryonic stem cell research have argued Orthodox Christianity’s viewpoint is that it involves the deliberate destruction human person is created in the image and likeness of an embryo, God and this the purpose of life is morally wrong[[theosis]], because embryos have the same moral status as human personswhich is God-likeness in union and communion with others. When Robert Edwards (one St [[Gregory of the pioneers of in vitro fertilization) saw Louis Brown, the world's first baby to be conceived by in vitro fertilization Nyssa]] stated: :"The last time I saw her she was just eight cells 'Let us make man in a test-tubeour image, after our likeness.' We possess the one by creation; we acquire the other by free will. She was beautiful then, and she In the first structure it is still beautiful now!" This shows given us to be born in the continuity image of God; by free will there is formed in us the person he knew “then” and being in the person he knows “nowlikeness of God.” Therefore … But it is proper that one part is given you, while the human life begins at conception. Concerning the use of fetal tissue, opponents argue that use of other has been left incomplete: this tissue is morally problematic because so that you might complete it yourself and might be worthy of the reward, which comes from abortive proceduresGod."

Orthodox Christianity’s viewpoint is that Both the embryo as well as the adult are potential human person is created persons in different phases of development, growing in the image and likeness of God and trying to reach the purpose likeness of life is theosis, which is God-likeness in union and communion with others. Gregory of Nyssa stated: “Let us make man in our imageAs a result, after our likeness.” We possess the one by creation; we acquire the other by free will. In Orthodox understanding is that unborn human life should have the first structure it is given us same opportunity to be born in the image of God; by free will there is formed in us the being grow in the likeness of God. … But it is proper that one part is given you, while the other has been left incomplete: this is so that you might complete it yourself and might be worthy of the reward, which comes from Godas those already born.

Both, the embryo as well as the adult are potential human persons in different phases of development, growing in the image of God and trying to reach the likeness of God. As a result the Orthodox understanding is that unborn human life should have the same opportunity to grow in the likeness of God as those already born. The Orthodox Church believes that the person is body and soul and experimentation on the body, including embryonic stem cell research, will presume fleshly authority over the soul. The body and soul were formed at the same time-—not one before and the other afterward. (Louth, p.53).) Stem cell research cannot be summarized as a scientific technique on a biological organism. The Orthodox Church considers that human beings should be treated with dignity and respect. Father Demopulos stated: “We must treat the developing embryo with dignity and respect, because we do not know when it becomes a person.” Since the Orthodox Church believes that human life begins at conception, the dignity and respect owed to the person should be extended to the human embryo.

The Orthodox Church promotes therapeutic advances in medicine, but not at the expense of human life. For the Orthodox life begins at conception and continues behind death. Without giving consideration to the various possible outcomes that this embryonic stem cells cell research will have on certain members of society, such as the Orthodox Church, science and society will continue to take diverging paths. There will be no answers found which will solve the problems that are arising because of embryonic stem cells cell research. Serious discussion concerning the ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding embryonic stem cells this research can only take place when consideration for the premise that humanity is created in the image and likeness of God is the paramount concern.      '''Bibliography'''   Breck, John. The Sacred Gift of Life. New York: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1998 Louth, Andrew. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 2001

==Sources==*[[John Breck|Breck, John]]. ''The Sacred Gift of Life''. New York: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1998.*[[Andrew Louth|Louth]], Andrew. ''Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture''. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 2001.*Ruse, Michael & Christopher A. Pynes. ''The Stem Cell Controversy''. New York: Prometheus Books, 2003.*Snow, Nancy. ''Stem Cell Research''. Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 2003.

Snow, Nancy. Stem Cell Research. Notre Dame, Indiana[[Category: University of Notre Dame Press, 2003Ethics]]