We need Judie’s timeless wisdom now more than ever!
The Morally Unconscious
By Judie Brown Recently a brilliant article appeared in the New Oxford Review. Entitled “Engaging the Morally Unconscious Person,” author Christopher M. Reilly delved into the quicksand created by those who refuse to acknowledge the inherent value in looking deeper into the meaning of what it means to be a human being. In the process, he challenged those of us who fight for life to avoid...
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...
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Are Official Positions Based on Scientific Fraud?
Dianne N. Irving, M.A., Ph.D.Professor of PhilosophyDominican House of StudiesWashington, D.C. 20017 The fundamental bases for the official positions of NBAC and the White House involve the arguments that either: the immediate product of fertilization or cloning is...
Ethical sources of stem cells
Dianne N. Irving, M.A., Ph.D.Professor of PhilosophyDominican House of StudiesWashington, D.C. 20017 “This is the dream of being able to get stem cells from adults,” University of Nebraska Medical Center professor Sam Cohen told the National Bioethics...