Beliefs and Believers

The issue of stem cell research has generated so much attention and reached such prominent social significance that religious entities have had to weigh in on the topic.  Most religions base their perspective on the issue of whether a newly fertilized egg has the same moral status as that of a human being.  Just as there’s no consensus across religions on this question of when life begins, there’s also little consensus within religions.  The following is a look at some of the major religions and how they interpret both the issues of embryonic stem cell research in general, and the status of the embryo, in specific.

Catholicism

For years, the Catholic Church has been at odds with proponents of stem cell research, however the issue is not quite so simple.  Just as there is diversity of opinion within society about this issue, there is also diversity of opinion within members of the Catholic Church...  Click here to learn more.

Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion based on intraspection and as a result, Buddhist stance on stem cell research is left to the individual's moral sensibility... Click here to learn more.