Sacred Cells?: Why Christians Should Support Stem Cell Research - Hardcover

Sacred Cells? is a well crafted book about whether stem cell research is ethically, as well as socially and politically, acceptable by people of faith. The authors know the science and practices involved and report them in an engaging narrative. The authors bring clarity, precision, and depth to the subject, seeking to convince the reader by their multidimensional discussion, not by demeaning other beliefs or opinions. A wonderful book. -- Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine Sacred Cells? shows that it is not only possible but plausible to articulate a religious framework in which embryonic stem cell research is not just ethically tolerable but ethically right. In plain, readable prose, the authors take us through the history of the work that produced the prospect of embryonic stem cell research and show us why the arguments advanced against this research, on ethical grounds, fail. They also remind us that ethics, as often as not, is quite capable of keeping pace with the latest scientific breakthroughs. -- Arthur Caplan, Director, Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania All of us who have labored to find the paths of wisdom informed by both faith and science can welcome this contribution to the discussion of stem cells. Sensitivity to a wide variety of theological and philosophical traditions is one of the strengths of this book. -- Robert Roger Lebel, Chief of Medical Genetics, SUNY Upstate Medical Center This is a thoughtful, insightful work that may not change many minds but will give much pause for thought. Highly recommended. * CHOICE, Jan. 2009 * Their grasp of current scientific issues is impressive . . . If this book leads to discussion on such matters as: What is sacred? To whom does dignity apply? How important is good health? it will have served a very useful role in bioethical and theological debate. * Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, December 2009 * Peters, Lebacqz, and Bennett take the best approach I have yet seen in interpreting the forces at work in white-hot debate surrounding stem cell research, and give a lucid analysis of the central issue-namely, the conflict of the new science and religious dogma. The unique background of the authors, their demonstrated intimate understanding of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic belief systems, and their clear style make Sacred Cells? an engaging and likely enduring work. -- Michael West, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Cell Technology; University of California, Berkeley Sacred Cells? takes readers through the issues of stem-cell development with both a brief history of the science and an overview of the competing ethical frameworks in the debate. * St. Anthony Messenger *

Sacred Cells? tells the little-known story of Christian theologians who have been actively involved with leading scientists in the lab to determine the ethical implications of stem cell research. And contrary to popular expectation, these Christians have been courageously advocating in favor of research. Three of these dynamic theologians tell their story in this book, providing a brief history of stem cell science and outlining why people of faith can and should support research.