Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Stem Cell Research
July 17, 2008
American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
The group has no explicit policy on the issue; rather it states that “one must be guided by one’s own relationship with God and Scripture.”
- David Maraniss, “Editorial: Everything is Relative.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 26, 2001.
- Correspondence with representative from the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
Buddhism
Though Buddhist teachings do not directly address the issue, there are two main tenets – the prohibition against harming or destroying others (ahimsa), and the pursuit of knowledge (prajña) and compassion (karua) – that divide Buddhist scholars and communities. Some Buddhists argue that stem cell research is in accordance with the Buddhist tenet of seeking knowledge and ending human suffering, while others argue that it is a violation of the notion of not harming others.
- ABC Science, “Buddhism at one with stem cell research”
- Damien Keown, “'No Harm' Applies to Stem Cell Embryos: One Buddhist's View” (reprinted by Beliefnet.com)
- Somparn Promta, Philosophy Department and Center for Buddhist Studies, Chulalongkorn University, “Human Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell Research: A View from Theravada Buddhist Morality”
Catholicism
In accordance with their anti-abortion stance, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops supports adult stem cell research but opposes embryonic stem cell research since it creates or destroys human embryos.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not issued a statement on the issue of stem cell research.
Episcopal Church
In 2004, the church’s governing body, the General Convention, declared itself in favor of stem cell research as long as the embryos used would have been destroyed otherwise, the embryos were not created solely for research purposes and the embryos were not bought or sold.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The ELCA does not have an official position on the issue. In 2005, the Churchwide Assembly, the governing body of the church, created a task force to study the issues of genetics and biotechnology and to present a report in 2011.
Hinduism
Though Hinduism believes that life begins at conception, the religion has no official position on stem cell research.
- HinduismToday.com, October/November/Decemeber 2004, “On Stem Cell Research”
- The New York Times, “How India Reconciles Hindu Values and Biotech”
Islam
There is no explicit Islamic ruling on the issue of stem cell research. While some Muslim leaders allow for stem cell research on the ground that, according to Islam, an embryo in the early stage of pregnancy does not have a soul, others argue that the termination of an embryo at any stage of pregnancy is morally impermissible.
- Islam 101: “An Islamic Perspective on Stem Cells Research”
- The Christian Science Monitor, “Stem-Cell Science Stirs Debate in Muslim World, Too”
Judaism
All major Jewish denominations – including the Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Reconstructionist movements – support both embryonic and adult stem cell research as long as it is for medical or therapeutic purposes.
- Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, “Stem Cell Research, Position of the Reform Jewish Movement”
- United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, “Stem Cell Research and Education (2003)”
- Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, “Resolution on Educational and Political Support for Stem Cell Research”
- Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations Welcomes U.S. House Passage of Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (2005)
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
In 2005, the group reaffirmed its opposition to embryonic stem cell research, advocating instead for adult stem cell research.
National Association of Evangelicals
In 2005, the National Association of Evangelicals issued a statement voicing its opposition to stem cell research.
National Council of Churches
After an evaluation in 2006 of the debate surrounding stem cell research, the National Council of Churches’ Human Biotechnologies Policy Development Committee adopted a position stating that “as a result of a lack of clear consensus [among ethicists, academia and scientists], the National Council of Churches neither endorses nor condemns experimentation on human embryos.”
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
In 2004, the Presbyterian Church’s governing body, the General Assembly, reaffirmed its position in favor of stem cell research that is intended to “[restore health] to those suffering from serious illness.”
Southern Baptist Convention
In 1999, the Southern Baptist Convention reaffirmed its “opposition to the destruction of human embryos … [and] support for the development of alternative treatments which do not require human embryos to be killed.”
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
In 2006, the association’s policymaking body, the General Assembly, stated its support for stem cell research as long as the research is for medical therapies and not the reproductive cloning of humans.
United Church of Christ
In 2001, the United Church of Christ ruled in favor of research on embryonic stem cells that would otherwise be discarded from in vitro fertilization.
United Methodist Church
In 2004, the United Methodist Church asserted its support for therapeutic cloning in which spare embryonic stem cells resulting from in vitro fertilization are used. The church also maintained its opposition to the use or creation of embryonic stem cells solely for the purpose of research.
Other Resources
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Aug. 3, 2006 July 18, 2006 Nov. 15, 2002 |
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June 15, 2008 May 19, 2008 April 8, 2008 |
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Stem Cell Information Page (National Institutes of Health) State Embryonic and Fetal Research Laws (National Conference of State Legislatures) Key Moments in the Stem-Cell Debate (NPR) |
Pew Forum
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