We need Judie’s timeless wisdom now more than ever!
Better Killing through Chemistry
By Judie Brown The phrase “Better Living through Chemistry” is a variant of a DuPont advertising slogan. And while the purpose of its products was to allegedly improve the lives of consumers, what is happening today with the manufacturers of mifepristone—the abortion pill—and other such chemicals is best described as better killing through chemistry. But the saddest part of...
Human embryonic stem cell research: A Catholic response to President Bush’s decision
Robert Fastiggi isAssociate Professor of Systematic TheologySacred Heart Major Seminary2701 Chicago Blvd.Detroit, MI 48206 On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced that he would provide federal funding for research on stem cells obtained from human embryos. He made...
Cloning, stem cell research and some historic parallels
The public has not had an equitable distribution of the arguments against using human embryonic cells for stem cell research, whether the stem cells would be obtained from “therapeutic” cloning, or from “spare” embryos. These clones and...
Research on stem cells
Origin of the term “stem cell” The phrase “stem cell” or “stem cells” actually came from histologists. It has been in the histology texts for a long, long time. But, they have been listed as “regenerative” or...
Just Take a Pill for That
It has always been my contention that nobody should take medicine without first reading all of the information and understanding that there is a possibility of unpleasant, or even dangerous, side effects.
NIH and human embryo research revisited: What is wrong with this picture?
Dianne N. Irving, M.A., Ph.D.Professor of PhilosophyDominican House of StudiesWashington, D.C. 20017 I. Introduction The rapid advance of medical technology has left a plethora of profound ethical, social and political issues unresolved. No longer restricted to the...
Stem Cell Research and the Moral Status of Human Embryos
The first half of 1999 has seen a flurry of activity regarding research on human stem cells. In January, Harold Varmus, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced that this type of research could receive federal funds. Varmus, however, promised...