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The world's major faith
traditions recognize compassion as an ethical ideal. These traditions speak to us of
a duty to care for and to heal
those who are ill, when it is in our power to do so. In the Christian tradition, this is expressed as “Love thy neighbor.”
The good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable is applauded because he offers
healing to the suffering stranger. In
Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and other religions too, action to
remedy human suffering is an ethical obligation. In keeping with this obligation, biomedical research aims to develop remedies for severe diseases and injuries. Working with embryonic as well as adult stem cells, scientists stand at the threshold of developing a deeper understanding of the origins of many illnesses, and of finding new, effective treatments. Stem cell research is, however, an enterprise that is subject to misunderstanding. There is a need for education in our communities about what stem cell research is, and why scientists and patient advocates view this research as therapeutically promising. Contributing to America's deliberations on this subject will be secular ethical perspectives as well as religious ones. Education and dialogue about stem cell research can help us all arrive at thoughtful, well-informed views about its value. While support for stem cell research is consistent with the principle of full respect for human life, we acknowledge a wide range of religious and ethical positions on the legitimate scope and regulation of the research. No single voice can correctly claim to represent all of America's religious faithful on this subject. In the ongoing discussions about using embryonic stem cells for medical purposes, we perceive multiple voices and different understandings about when human personhood begins, about the appropriate aims of biomedical technologies, and about our moral obligations to one another and to future generations. Our conversations should respect and tolerate this diversity. Serving the aim of reflection on the ethics as well as the science of stem cell research, "People of Faith for Stem Cell Research" facilitates presentations and discussions in communities across the nation.
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