Examining bioethics, morality, and culture from a distinctively orthodox Lutheran perspective. Site dedicated to the Holy Family.
Posted in Uncategorized on Dec 31st, 2009
David Prentice at the FRC blog suggests that due to an apparent lack of genetic (i.e., racial) diversity in embryonic stem cell lines recently approved for research by President Obama, scientists will be looking for non-Caucasian/European/Middle Eastern/East Asian embryos. Prentice quotes University of Michigan researcher, Prof. Sean Morrison, as saying that his group
will also make [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Dec 2nd, 2009
In a marked departure from the Bush administration mandate, the National Institutes of Health today authorized the use of embryonic stem cell lines taken from “leftover” frozen embryos at two infertility clinics. Note that these embryos were originally conceived to become living children of their parent/donors; now under the Obama administration such “leftovers” can be [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Nov 20th, 2009
What? After President Obama expanded the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research? The New York Times has the story:
The university’s board of regents is scheduled to take up the matter on Friday [November 20], and if it approves the restrictions — some opponents of the research say they have the votes, though [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Oct 4th, 2009
In a recent New England Journal of Medicine interview, National Institute of Health’s director Francis Collins was queried about stem cell research. His response is telling in what it lacks: he fails to mention proven results using adult stem cells:
Steinbrook: What will the results of stem-cell research mean for human health?
Collins: My crystal ball [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Sep 22nd, 2009
By proclamation of Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger (California) and Jim Doyle (Wisconsin), and Mayors Gavin Newsom (San Francisco) and Jerry Sanders (San Diego), September 23 is “Stem Cell Awareness Day.” It is a good day to rejoice that we all began our earthly journey as embryonic stem cells, give thanks for the medical advancement and proven [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 27th, 2009
From Stem Cell Research News:
Animals being tested using Geron Corporation’s treatment for spinal cord injury developed cysts at the injury sites, a finding that led the U.S. FDA to place a clinical hold on a planned human trial of the treatment, the Menlo Park, Calif.-based stem cell firm said on August 27. However, Geron said, [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 9th, 2009
The Bioethics.net blog reports that University of Wisconsin bioethicist R. Alta Charo has accepted a one-year renewable post as senior advisor to the Office of the FDA Commissioner. Charo is an outspoken proponent of abortion and human embryonic stem cell research.
Posted in Uncategorized on Jul 6th, 2009
You may not like it, but federal taxpayer dollars will now go to experimenting on stem cells taken from human embryos, beyond those stem cell lines approved by the Bush administration, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2009 Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research. The Guidelines go into effect July 7. According to [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jul 5th, 2009
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Geron Corp. will provide General Electric with human embryonic stem cells, from existing lines permitted under the Bush Administration, in order to test drug toxicity. The human embryonic stem cells will allow researchers to replace lab rats in experimentation.
Shares of lab rat stocks fell precipitously on the news.
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 25th, 2009
You can read Ms. Somerville’s clear and compelling treatment of the ESCR (embryonic stem cell research) issue here.
The Reverend Robert C. Baker, B.B.A, M.Div., is an ordained pastor in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, and serves the Church as an editor at the denomination's publishing house. He is currently pursuing an M.S. degree in Health Care Ethics at Creighton University. He is the author of What Happened To Merry Christmas? and How Do You Start a Fire with Water? and has authored or edited numerous Bible studies and books.