Byrnesys Blabberings

While dipping my toe into the water of stem cell ethics, and wrestling (only shortly) with my own thoughts on the matter, a huge transition has been announced this week (which I picked up from my weekly newspaper read at Church) which takes the ethical issue out of its familiar context.

Essentially (and in hidiously simplistic, non-scientific terms) what has been at the centre of the controversy is that the procreative cells which are used in the process have come from "discards" ie. Fertilized eggs, from such processes as IVF. New research has now revealed a way that means human skin cells can perform the same function.

Various News sources on the story, depending on which direction you inclined: Independent, Telegraph, Reuters, Times, Guardian

This was interestingly enough anticipated by Ted Peters, whose treatment of the issue I’m current reading in "Playing God Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom" Peters also imagines that the change in source for the cells will not end the ethical controversy. Scott Prather who is standing in for the lecturer for my course this semester looks at Peters words on the subject and by the by was good enough to set me up with Hauerwas’ Introductory Christian ethics lectures as he worked with him at Duke, not only that but he also let us watch a movie during the lecture, so Scotts pretty much "up there" on the kudos levels right now! (note to editors: Scott maybe shouldn’t get all the praise as Dr. Brittain did set it as part of the course)