Stem cell research
A big issue today -- but the PC(USA) has already
done good thinking on the questions
[7-25-01]
Witherspoon's GA
wrap-up report included this brief reference to the Assembly's
action on stem cell and fetal tissue research:
The Assembly approved a carefully crafted
Statement on the Ethical and Moral Implications of Stem Cell and Fetal
Tissue Research, sent as an overture from Baltimore
Presbytery. Recognizing the progress in stem cell and fetal tissue
research and the complexity of the moral issues involved, the proposed
guidelines offer guidance on the use of tissue derived from fetuses,
separating the decision to have an abortion from the decision to
donate fetal tissue. Sale or commercialization of fetal tissue should
be legally prohibited; research with stem cells obtained from human
embryos should be conducted only when the goals are compelling and
unreachable by other means.
Since the Administration is currently considering
various options for government support of this vital and promising --
and controversial -- research, it may be worth looking at the full text
of the action taken by the 213th General Assembly.
It is also available on the PC(USA)
web site.
Overture 01-50. On Adopting a Resolution Enunciating Ethical
Guidelines for Fetal Tissue and Stem Cell Research-From the Presbytery
of Baltimore.
((((()))))
The Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the 213th General Assembly (2001)
to approve the following resolution in accordance the General Assembly
Guidelines "Forming Social Policy" paragraph 4:
Whereas, the following policy statements of
previous General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provide
general guidance that may be considered to apply to fetal tissue and
stem cell research:
1. "The Covenant of Life and the Caring
Community" (1983), which states, "The 195th General Assembly
(1983): . . . Discourages development of human embryos and their use for
experimentation except in those cases of clearly demonstrable benefit
where no other substitute could accomplish the same end" (Minutes,
1983, Part I, p. 364). The statement goes on to state, "As society
looks to the benefits of biotechnology, there must be more serious
social and ethical discussion about its application, especially human
application. Abuses in eugenics programs in the recent past make the
establishment of guidelines for the application of biotechnologies to
human beings mandatory. The deepest issues of life and its meaning must
not be obscured in the rush to profits and benefits promised by new
biotechnologies." [Ibid., p. 365]
2. "Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly"
(1992), which included the following response to Commissioners'
Resolution 89-33 from the 207th General Assembly (1989): "The
[General Assembly] concurs with the intent of the resolution to oppose
abortions for the express purpose of selling or providing tissues for
research or transplantation, and is opposed to the sale of fetal human
tissue obtained in elective abortion. However, we are opposed to, and
cannot concur with, calling on Congress to prohibit the use of federal
funding for research using fetal tissue" (Minutes, 1992, Part I, p.
373); and
Whereas, since these statements were made, both
the possible benefits of, and the complicated moral issues involved
with, stem cell and fetal tissue research have greatly increased and
demand the specific attention of Presbyterians and the larger society;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the 213th General
Assembly (2001) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approves for itself,
commends to governing bodies and individual Presbyterians, and presents
to the larger society for its consideration the following
"Statement on the Ethical and Moral Implications of Stem Cell and
Fetal Tissue Research":
Introduction
Contemporary medical research and technologies have
presented humankind with complex ethical and moral realities never
before envisioned. These realities bear careful review and consideration
as new therapies are developed to cure diseases and illnesses. As people
of faith we are called to be partners with God in healing and in the
alleviation of human pain and suffering.
Human pluripotent stem cells, more commonly known
simply as stem cells, are derived through two different methods: one
uses early stage embryos in excess of clinical need and donated by women
undergoing in vitro fertilization; the other method isolates stem cells
from aborted fetuses. Stem cells have the ability to divide for an
indefinite period in culture and can develop into most of the
specialized cells and tissues of the body, such as muscle cells, nerve
cells, liver cells, and blood cells. The use of stem cells has
far-reaching possibilities including "cell therapies." Stem
cells stimulated to develop into specialized cells could be used to
treat diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries,
stroke, burns, heart disease, and diabetes. Using stem cells could
reduce the dependence on organ donation and transplantation.
The moral issues raised by stem cell research differ,
depending on whether the cells come from aborted fetuses or embryos
resulting from in vitro fertilization that are no longer needed for
infertility treatment.
Research on Tissue Resulting
from Abortion
The ethical acceptability of deriving stem cells from
the tissue of aborted fetuses is closely connected to the morality of
abortion. Those who oppose using stem cells derived from aborted fetuses
argue that abortion for any reason is wrong. Those who so believe also
fear that the possibility of donating the fetus for stem cell research
will encourage women to have more abortions or justify abortions that
otherwise could not be justified. They believe that researchers would be
complicit in an immoral act. In addition, they may believe that a woman
seeking an abortion should not have the right to give consent to the use
of the tissue because she has forfeited her maternal trusteeship by
aborting the fetus.
The General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) have consistently supported women's right to choose an abortion
based on conscience and religious beliefs. We believe that a woman's
right to evaluate her life situation and the impact of her pregnancy on
her own health and on her obligations to other family members is an
essential element of her personhood and her status as a moral being. We
view abortion as not only protected under U.S. law, but as morally
justifiable in certain circumstances.
We believe that the use of tissue derived from fetuses
is morally and ethically acceptable, provided that the procurement of
that tissue is subject to appropriate limitations, and we believe that
such limitations should be incorporated into regulatory law. Regulation
of donations needs to assure that the decision to have an abortion is
separated from the decision to donate fetal tissue. The sale or
commercialization of fetal tissue should be legally prohibited.
Research with Stem Cells
Derived from Embryos
Research with stem cells obtained from human embryos
poses moral difficulties that do not exist in the case of fetal tissues.
The life of the fetus has already been terminated when the researcher
receives tissue from an aborted fetus, while the life of embryonic
tissue resulting from infertility treatment must be terminated. The
morality of ending the life of embryos rests on how one views the moral
status of the embryos. We believe, as do most authorities that have
addressed the issue, that human embryos do have the potential of
personhood, and as such they deserve respect. That respect must be shown
by requiring that the interests or goals to be accomplished by using
human embryos be compelling and unreachable by other means. Indications
are that human embryonic stem cell research has the potential to lead to
lifesaving breakthroughs in major diseases. Currently, this knowledge
cannot be obtained from cells derived from other sources such as adult
stem cells and cadaveric fetal tissue. Prohibition of the derivation of
stem cells from embryos would elevate the showing of respect to human
embryos above that of helping persons whose pain and suffering might be
alleviated. Embryos resulting from infertility treatment to be used for
such research must be limited to those embryos that do not have a chance
of growing into personhood because the woman has decided to discontinue
further treatments and they are not available for donation to another
woman for personal or medical reasons, or because a donor is not
available. Again, the sale or commercialization of embryonic tissue
should be legally prohibited.
Conclusion
Therefore, the 213th General Assembly (2001) of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), affirms the use of fetal tissue and
embryonic tissue for vital research. Our respect for life includes
respect for the embryo and fetus, and we affirm that decisions about
embryos and fetuses need to be made with responsibility. Therefore, we
believe that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other faith groups
should educate their members in making these very difficult ethical
decisions. With careful regulation, we affirm the use of human stem cell
tissue for research that may result in the restoring of health to those
suffering from serious illness. We affirm our support for stem cell
research, recognizing that this research moves to a new and challenging
frontier. We recognize the need for continuing, informed public dialogue
and equitable sharing of information of the results of stem cell
research. It is only with such public dialogue and information sharing
that our diverse society can build a foundation for responsible movement
toward this frontier that offers enormous hope and challenge.
Rationale
The present political climate, especially with the
change of national administrations, suggests that we may see serious
attempts to limit or eliminate fetal tissue and stem cell research.
While the General Assembly has previously opposed the
commercialization of fetal tissue and the creation of embryos for
research purposes, it has not directly addressed the specific research
issues addressed here, though the conclusions stated here can logically
be derived from existing policy statements.
The ethical and medical issues are specifically
addressed in the resolution.
The proposed statement is based in part on a similar
statement adopted by the Board of Directors of the Religious Coalition
for Reproduction Choice, August 24, 2000.
((((()))))
ACSWP ADVICE AND COUNSEL ON OVERTURE 01-50
Advice and Counsel on Overture 01-50----From the
Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP).
Overture 01-50 proposes approving a resolution that
enunciates ethical guidelines for fetal tissue and stem cell research,
building on previous General Assembly policies.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
advises that the Overture 01-50 is consistent with previous General
Assembly policies.
Rationale: Overture 01-50 is proposed to General
Assembly in the form of a resolution. A resolution "applies
existing policy statements to new circumstances" ("Why and How
the Church Makes a Social Policy Witness," Minutes,1993, Part I, p.
768). The development of a resolution requires that there is adequate
policy so that policy can be applied to current societal realities.
This resolution accurately builds on policies of past
General Assemblies. The second "Whereas" refers to:
"Abortion is not morally acceptable for gender selection only or
solely to obtain fetal parts for transplantation" (Minutes,
1992, Part I, p. 368). An additional statement, made in response to
Commissioners' Resolution 89-33 (Minutes, 1992, Part I, p.
373), is accurately quoted in Overture 01-50..
The 195th General Assembly (1983) stated that it
"Discourages development of human embryos and their use for
experimentation except in those cases of clearly demonstrable benefit
where no other substitute could accomplish the same end" (Minutes,
1983, Part I, p. 361). The overture includes another direct quote from
the 195th General Assembly (1983) that declares the need for
establishing guidelines for this work (Minutes, 1983, Part I,
p. 365). Overture 01-50 proposes one step in developing those
guidelines.
Stem cell research continues to develop very rapidly.
A lot of research is underway using cells from umbilical cords and adult
cell types. Highly promising and significant progress is reported
weekly. However, at this time and in the near future, most of the stem
cells will continue to be derived from early stage embryos and aborted
fetuses. Therefore, scientists believe that all avenues of research
should remain open.
