WHAT are stem cells, embryonic stem cells and blastocysts? Why has the research on embryonic stem cells become a religious and political issue instead of a scientific issue?
In the United States, many Christian groups (namely Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and the Fundamentalists) oppose embryonic stem cell research because they believe that a human blastocyst is a human being who should be accorded human rights because the start of each cell line involves the destruction of a blastocyst.
They view embryonic stem cell research as intrinsically evil and one that must never to be supported since it requires the death of an innocent human life created by God.
Another perspective views stem cell research as unfounded due to the fact that there already exist new medical technologies which could prevent disease.
On Aug 11, 2001 President George W. Bush announced that federal funds could be used to support research on the newly developed field of human embryonic stem cells, but the funding would be limited to existing (embryonic) stem cell lines where the life-and-death decision has already been made. Accordingly, the United States has spent over US$10bil (RM38bil) on stem cell research.
Many Jews, Humanists, Mormons and liberal members of the Church of Christ, are supportive of embryonic stem cell research. What about the Muslim opinion?
A stem cell is a primal undifferentiated cell which retains the ability to differentiate into other cell types. This ability allows a stem cell to act as a repair system for the body to replenish other cells as long as the organism is alive.
Stem cells come in many guises, including cord blood stem cells, adult stem cells, spore-Like cells and embryonic stem cells, but that which is causing the most ethical debate is the use of stem cells derived from embryonic stem cell.
The first studies on stem cells began in the 60s and was done by Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulIoch and James E. Till.
In future, there may be other potential treatments for diseases like cancer using stem cell technology.
The Oct 7 issue of The Week published by the University of California reported that researchers had injected stem cells from an aborted human foetus into paralysed mice. The mice regained the ability to move and walk four months later.
Researchers have also successfully transplanted corneal stem cells into damaged eyes to restore vision. Using cultured stem cells from aborted foetus, scientists were able to grow a thin sheet of stem cells in the laboratory.
When these sheets are transplanted over the eyes, the stem cells stimulated renewed repair, eventually restoring vision.
Askoy S from the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine in Sanliurfa, Turkey, published his opinion from an Islamic perspective in a paper, Making Regulation or Legislation in Islam Under Condition of Uncertainty with Special Reference to Stem Cell Research.
In his paper he tried to highlight and explain how the laws and regulations are made, and how to apply Islamic principles to stem cell research. In essence, his work pertains to laws to allow or prohibit the manner in which stem cell research is carried out.
According to him, man cannot do things that are intrinsically undoable, and cannot know things which are intrinsically unknowable. Only God is All-Doing and All-Knowing.
In other words, science is concerned with exploring the secrets and laws of nature which are set by God.
Islam has always encouraged man to contemplate and explore new horizons. Stem cell research is one of these new horizons.
Stem cell research is allowed in Islam as long as it is done in accordance with the purpose of improving human health.
However much research still needs to be done before one may draw conclusions.
The issue of stem cell research is being discussed in many countries. Some have even brought this issue to Parliament.
Can our MP’s conduct an intellectual discourse in Parliament, especially in terms of developing science and technology for our country?