Genetic Research
Genetic Research There are many types of genetic research that are being studying and utilized throughout the world today. There are many ethical and moral issues that arise when discussing genetic research and they have created a heated debate among the many religious faith traditions and their teachings. Perhaps the most divisive categories of genetic research include embryonic and stem cell research, as well as prenatal screening and diagnosis. Stem cell research is an unending controversial issue. Many people do not know exactly what stem cell research is, or how it could affect the lives of many people around the world. Most people are also oblivious to what stem cells actually are and where they come from as well as their uses in the human body. As far as prenatal screening is concerned, the same questions are constantly asked. Despite the delicate issues that are presented in terms of genetic research, scientists everywhere seem to be very optimistic. Representatives of Judaism and Catholicism have very different views concerning the many aspects genetic research. Whether or not that research will be allowed to continue in a free way is still to be decided. Genetic research is not a future concern, it is a present concern, it is happening now and it is becoming more and more important for people everywhere to learn about it and what some religions teach about it. A stem cell can be defined as a "generic" cell that can make exact copies of itself indefinitely ("Stem Cell Basics"). But to fully understand stem cells, one must first know the history. The history of stem cell research had a rather benevolent beginning in the mid 1800 's with the discovery that some cells could produce other cells. In the early 1900 's the first real stem cells were discovered when it was found that some cells generate blood cells. In 1998, James Thompson, from the University of Wisconsin Madison, isolated cells from the inner cell mass of early embryos, and
Cited: Giannini, Stephen. Email Interview. 11 May 2007. Holy Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993. Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Vatican. 4 May 2007 . "Stem Cell Research." Nov. 2003. Union for Reform Judaism. 4 May 2007 . "Stem Cell Basics." Stem Cell Information. 20 Dec. 2006. National Instutute of Health. 1 May 2007 . Delude, Cathryn M. "Genetic Research: Mining for Medical Treasures." The Faseb Journal. 29 April 2007 .