Catholic Church upholds stem cell research

Stem cell research, a relatively controversial topic in many circles, may have gotten a major boost from the Catholic Church, with an introduction for a book on the subject by no less than now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

 

A report on FOXNews said Benedict XVI wrote the introduction for "The Healing Cell: How the Greatest Revolution in Medical History Is Changing Your Life" co-authored by Dr. Robin Smith, Msgr. Tomasz Trafny, and Max Gomez.

 

“That’s why Benedict wrote the forward ... because (the Vatican) realizes how important this will be to humanity,” Smith told FOXNews.com.

 

Ethical disease treatment

 

Smith, chairperson and CEO of NeoStem, a company focused on cord blood banking and stem cell manufacturing, said stem cell research aims to find ethical ways to treat diseases that cause people to suffer.

 

NeoStem developed a cardiovascular adult stem cell treatment, AMR-001, which harvests bone marrow from a patient’s hip and re-inserts the cells into a damaged heart for healing.

 

“It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, Jewish or Catholic. We all know people who are suffering from diseases, and regardless of socioeconomic background, we need to make this a reality. It’s the future of medicine,” she said.

 

Stem cell therapy uses bone marrow transplants to treat diseases like leukemia, and scientists use stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries.

 

The FOXNews report said parents who banked umbilical cord blood at birth used it to address conditions like cerebral palsy and cancer.

 

Research into new therapies

 

Research is now ongoing to see if stem cell therapies could treat Alzheimer’s or age-related dementia, as well as autism and autoimmune diseases, arthritis, heart disease, mental disorders, Lou Gehrig’s disease and hearing problems.

 

The report said stem cells have also been used to regenerate organs.

 

But the subject became controversial when some celebrities spoke of so-called embryonic "super cells."

 

Ethical concerns about stem cell research rose from whether to use embryonic stem cells, with some people and groups such as the Catholic Church feel it may destroy human life.

 

Smith said there are presently 4,300 adult stem cell trials, and only 26 embryonic stem cell trials.

 

No to embryonic stem cells

 

Medical and religious communities are now coming together to find a common ground to resolve the debate over embryonic stem cells.

 

FOXNews quoted Trafny, head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture's Science and Faith Department, said his committee joined forces with NeoStem to let Catholics know they need not choose between science and faith.

 

He also noted NeoStem made it clear from the start that it does not use embryonic stem cells but used solely adult stem cells.

 

“They can maintain their own moral sensitivity and embrace higher levels of scientific research; that’s why we are working on this,” Trafny said.

 

He said the Catholic Church supports using adult stem cells in scientific research, especially when it will benefit society.

 

But he admitted many things should be clarified. "From our point of view, it’s particularly important to bring this message to our followers, to our believers and our church leaders,” he said.

 

Smith added the Church is focused on ethical science, and their view is to preserve life.

 

“Stem cells are the future of science, and the church supports this endeavor and believes it will have a positive effect on humanity,” she said.

 

Umbilical cord banking: an 'insurance policy'

 

Smith also likened banking umbilical cord blood stem cells to an insurance policy.

 

“What better medicine to have than your own stem cells banked forever? You hope you don’t need them for cancer or leukemia, but if these therapies continue to emerge – where you can restore sight, or treat lupus and diabetes – having your stem cells stored is like a bio-insurance for yourself for the future,” she said. — TJD, GMA News