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Family & Life’s Seminar on Ethical Stem Cell Research : 11th Mar 10
Family & Life’s Seminar on Ethical Stem Cell Research
Family & Life’s seminar on ethical stem cell research in Dublin with Professors Robert P. George of Princeton and William B. Hurlbut of Stanford drew a large crowd on Friday last.
Prof Hurlbut explained the scientific basis for recognising that the life of a new distinct human organism begins at conception, the same human organism which grows and develops through the various stages of maturity until it eventually becomes a mature adult.
He also explained how the Altered Nuclear Transfer method, which he has pioneered, offers the promise of an ethical means of obtaining pluripotent stem cells, in other words it is intended to provide stem cells with all the qualities of embryonic stem cells but without requiring the killing or harming of human embryos.
Prof George took up the philosophical argument to explain the implications of accepting the scientific facts of the beginning of a new human life. He outlined the most compelling of the arguments that have been offered to deny that the embryo is a human being with the same rights and dignity as any other. He then explained how these arguments are mistaken and flawed.
The seminar was chaired by Senator Ronán Mullen.
In proposing the vote of thanks, Patrick Carr of Family & Life highlighted the timeliness of the arguments that had been put forward in defence of the rights of un-implanted human embryos, as Ireland is faced with a crucial decision as to how to treat such embryos.
He pointed out that the Supreme Court in R v. R did not impose an upper limit on the amount of protection that the Oireachtas could provide to un-implanted embryos, but had merely stated that such protection does not presently exist. He urged those present to participate in this national debate and to argue for complete protection for human embryos.
He expressed the hope that Ireland could be a world leader in ethical biomedical research if we focus our resources on that branch of science.
Earlier in the day, Prof George was interviewed on the Pat Kenny show on RTÉ radio. A podcast of that interview is available here: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
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