ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Stamselnavorsing en terapie: 'n Voorlopige teologies-etiese beoordeling

 

Stem cell research and therapy: A preliminary theological-ethical evaluation

 

 

A.L. Rheeder

Skool vir Kerkwetenskappe, Potchefstroomkampus. Noordwes-Universiteit. Potchefstroom. E-pos: corriaan1@942.co.za

 

 

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OPSOMMING

Stamselnavorsers het al wonderlike en asemrowende terapeutiese suksesse met stamselle bewerk. Mens en dier is deur middel van stamselle van 'n verskeidenheid siektes verlos. Vir baie mense hou die moontlikheid van genesing deur stamselnavorsing en meegaande terapie ontsaglike hoop in. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om hierdie medies-tegnologiese verskynsel in die algemeen teologies-eties te beoordeel. Wat leer die Bybel ons oor die genesing van siek mense? Kan Christus se leer en lewe ons in hierdie verband help? In die beantwoording van die vraag sal ook na die betekenis van die eskatologiese etiek gekyk word. Verskeie argumente vir en teen hierdie tegnologie word behandel. Die groot etiese vraag rondom stamselnavorsing en terapie in die besonder is die noodwendige vernietiging van menslike embrio's. Menslike embrio's word geskenk en soms geskep met die doel om stamselle te oes. Verskeie argumente vir en teen die vernietiging van die embrio word behandel. Die etiese oordeel dat menslike embrio's met die oog op moontlike genesing vernietig mag word, word filosofies en in die lig van die Skrif beoordeel.

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ABSTRACT

Researchers have already created wonderful and fascinating therapeutic results with stem cells. Human beings and animals have been cured of a variety of ailments through the use of stem cells. For a large number of human beings the possibility of a cure through stem cell research and accompanying therapy has tremendous possibilities. The aim of this article is a theological evaluation of this medico-technological phenomenon in general. What does the Bible teach us about the cure of sick people? Can Christ's teaching and life aid us in this regard? In answering this question the meaning of the escatological ethics will be examined as well. Various arguments for and against this technology are examined. The most important ethical question concerning research and therapy in particular is the unavoidable destruction of human embryos. Human embryos are donated and sometimes created with the aim of harvesting cells. Numerous arguments for and against the destruction of embryos are treated. The ethical argument that human embryos may be destroyed for the purpose of possible cure is evaluated philosophically in the light of the Scripture.

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