CATHOLIC TEACHING ON STEM CELL RESEARCH

question:

how do catholics view stem cell research and why?

Answer:

The Catholic Church is not opposed to stem cell research in general. Many scientific and medical advances have been and are being made using stem cells.

However, the Catholic Church is opposed to Embryonic stem cell research because in this type of research viable human embryos are destroyed. This type of research is a direct attack on human life. It devalues human life by telling society the lie that it is ok to take life in order to save life. This is in direct contradiction to Catholic Moral teaching. Remember that in Catholic Moral Theology "the end never justifies the means". In other words, you cannot kill one innocent person in order to save the lives of 100 other people. Furthermore, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "human life must be protected from the first moment of conception".

The destruction of viable human embryos for the purpose of research and science can never be justified and is considered a moral evil and a grave sin.

Hope that helps!

Remember, true Catholics are Pro Life!
-Pete