Jewish and Muslim Clergy in Favor of Stem Cell Research
You are a member of an Interdisciplinary Clergy Group that has concerns but favors the expansion of Stem Cell Research. Your group believes that the benefits of stem cell research morally justify its expansion.
As a group, you believe that it is moral to use stem cells derived from destroyed frozen embryos, but you have concerns about immoral uses of this tissue (for example to use for cloning). You favor continuing stem cell research on moral grounds even though you have ethical concerns.
You are to create a present a presentation (using Microsoft PowerPoint) expressing your viewpoints favoring stem cell research (as well as federal funding for stem cell research) and present it to the Chairperson of the National Conference on Stem Cell Research. You should endorse expansion of stem cell research but express the ethical issues that both of your faiths face in putting forth your decision. In addition, you are to create a one page letter (in Microsoft Word) addressed to the Chairperson expressing your viewpoints.
You should use the following sites to research stem cells
- The National Institute of Health provides an excellent primer on Stem Cell Research
- FASCNET's site providing a basic understanding of stem cell research, alternatives and the controversy surrounding stem cell research
- You can also look at the National Institute Health FAQ on Stem Cells
- President George W. Bush's August 2001 Decision on Stem Cell Research
You should use the following sites to research issues regarding stem cells. ABC, PBS, Fox and Life Issues provide excellent research information describing the political, scientific and religious arguments for and against stem cell research
- ABC News provides information about President Bush's 2001 Stem Cell Decision
- PBS provides an excellent site discussing the moral and religious implications for stem cell research
- Fox News provides a summary of arguments for and against stem cell research
- Life issues summarizes the stem cell controversy
To support your arguments, use the following Jewish and Islamic opinions supporting stem cell research
- Arguments for stem cell research including religious views
- Islam Online's views on stem cell research
- The Islamic Verdict on stem cell research
- The United Synagogue's statement on Jewish views towards stem cell research
- Robert Dobrusin, Rabbi of Beth Israel of Ann Arbor, Michigan presents his views favoring research
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