Generic Engineering Blog

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2050467/Euro-judges-outlaw-life-saving-embryo-stem-cell-research-immoral.html

The article is Based on the news that the European Court of Justice outlawed embryo research due to its ‘immorality’. This decision has stopped the pioneering treatments, which ultimately effect a mass of people receiving treatment through embryo research. One example, is a patent whose treatment involves converting embryonic stem cells into nerve cells, to help the long term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, Parkinson’s disease- this would no longer be allowed and would have catastrophic consequences on this patient. Many regarded this as a ‘devastating decision’, as this ultimately stops the use of the use of stem cell therapies within medicine. The moral controversy branches from the idea that Embryonic stem cells are creature during the process of IVF and during this several eggs are fertilised, yet not all are used and some are destroyed- and many pro life groups argue that it is immoral to experiment with embryos within medicine, even if it is used to advance the lives of others. Is embryo research really immoral when its outcomes can save and enhance the lives of many suffering?

Natural Moral Law suggests that "good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided.", as all other precepts within Natural Moral Law are based upon this idea. By definition, Aquinas would reject the idea of Embryo Research and Genetic Engineering, as it is playing God and taking life into our own hands, as God can only create and destroy life. This concept goes against the primary precept to ‘reproduce’ as within Embryo research this stops the reproduction of the embryo, as removing the stem cells ultimately destroys the embryo. However, some could argue the idea stem cell research allows others to continue their life, therefore enables them to reproduce. Another primary precept of ‘defending the innocent’ can also be seen to be contradicted. This is due to the idea that those who believe that life begins at the moment of conception would argue that the embryo therefore is an innocent life, and would ultimately argue that stem cell research does not allow the innocent life to develop.