CO 506 Assignment 1

1. Each reply must be at least 450 words must be supported by at least 1 scriptural reference and at least 3 scholarly references in APA format. Provide critical analysis of:

1) the ethical issues for society

2) the ethical issues for a Christian healthcare professional

3) whether and how a Christian should participate in such efforts

Student Answer below:

Topic: Stem Cells and Cloning

Religious consideration, in relationship to medical procedures and interventions, is only a small piece of the medical decision-making process.  Philosophical, moral, and professional considerations also play a part, when deciding to go through with a medical process, that is controversial. (Pozgar, 2017) An imbalance of basic ethical ideologies, contained in the Moral Law, can occur when respect for autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence are not in a fine balance (Collins, 2007). In my personal experience as an emergency and trauma nurse, I have been involved in many situations that require me to adhere to professional and organizational policies and codes of conduct, as opposed to what my personal beliefs or judgement would dictate.  Today, I will discuss stem cell and cloning procedures, along with related ethical considerations.

Ethical Issues for Society

Societal normality and acceptance have come to be very different, over the past two decades.  Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, I can remember a general acceptance of actions that were deemed good in the eyes of the church and the law, which were congruent with one another.  Now, I can see a flurry of issues becoming a matter of law, which were previously a personal decision between a patient and their physician. It seems that laws are being made to allow society rights and privileges, not necessarily because of moral and ethical righteousness, but to avoid offending an activist group.

Passion is evoked within society, when the topic of human embryonic stem cells or adult stem cell research and procedures are discussed.  The level of that passion can depend on whether a belief that the embryo is alive at the point of conception.  Additionally, the perceived definition of cloning is important.  Making a genetic copy of an organism, once a piece of the donor organism is sampled and cultivated, can be one example.  Human replication involves taking an asexual cell nucleus from an adult donor, which can be male or female, to be cloned.  The cell nucleus is then united with an empty egg of a female subject.  Development of the cells occurs from that point. (Van den Berg, 2012)

Much debate has occurred from those that believe life begins at conception.  Personally, my medical knowledge tells me that an embryo undergoes a process to become a fetus.  The heart of the fetus begins to beat and supply the other body systems with blood somewhere between 7 and 10 weeks’ gestation.  I find it hard to fully contend harvesting of a cell for medical use, that can end up being potentially beneficial for an otherwise barren couple.

Concerns with loose regulations on stem cell harvesting, human clone health risks, and a different set of considerations for products of cloning are brought to light.  Class, race and gender inequalities have also been brought forth as societal concerns. (Van den Berg, 2012)  I cannot see the difference between those concerns, as opposed to human reproduction that happens by traditional methods.  The same concerns arise for those who have familial history of chronic disease, chromosome mutations, or physical traits.  Without use of any scientific intervention, I have a daughter who looks like me, I look like my mother, and my mother looks like her mother.  Our religious and moral beliefs are very similar, as well.  I would have to plead a case that takes the traditional nature versus nurture into consideration.  If genetic cloning is not being done for malicious reasons, I’m not sure that the outcomes are any different.

In 1997, came a more socially-acceptable method of reproduction.  Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) produced a sheep named Dolly.  She was not cloned from the marrying of a sperm and egg, but from a single skin cell that was retrieved from the udder of her mother. (Van den Berg, 2012) Most societal entities could agree that a skin cell is alive, once separated from the donor.  Humans recklessly abandon thousands of skin cells per year, through the natural process of skin shedding and regeneration.  Therefore, it would be difficult to argue that science is killing potential humans.  If every skin cell reproduced a living being, real estate on planet earth could get sparse in a hurry.  Another method, brought forth in 2006, is using induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) that can be created straight from adult cells, that can reprogram cells to replace various types of defective human cells.  The argument against this method has been that science may have overstepped its bounds, surpassing God’s destiny for the altered cells.  (Bednar, 2016)

Ethical Issues for Christian Professionals

            Professional ethics within healthcare are a strong set of guidelines that dictate the medical practitioner to be honest, responsible, and laden with a high level of integrity and accountability (Pozgar, 2017). I find the professional ethics for nurses and doctors to be concise, strict and unwavering.  I do not find it difficult to adhere to my own Christian principles, for the sake of discussing the straightforward assessment and management of disease sets.  Christianity dictates adherence to the rule of treating others the way you would want to be treated (Pozgar, 2017).  The gray areas fall within those situations where nurses and doctors must do such things as send small children home with parents that may not be fit to raise the child or the situation where a 105-year-old patient is a full code.  But, once all the legal and organizational policies are followed, the decision is often not up to the professional caring for the situation.  The passion and opinions of the nurse or doctor cannot be projected upon the situation.

            In the case of using stem cells and cloning to cure disease or for reproductive purposes, the Christian healthcare professional has an obligation to ensure that the patients or subjects have received full disclosure of the methods and purpose of a procedure.  If there is no wicked intent, the Christian faith does not have any contradicting rules.  Any disagreement would be from variables within the individual professional. (Pozgar, 2017)

Christian Decision on Participation

            The decision for a Christian to participate in stem cell usage and cloning would be the responsibility of the individual to ensure that the mission, vision, and values of the entity carrying out the procedures are congruent with Christian beliefs.  There will be entities that do not practice the way that the word of God teaches.  It is the individual’s job to use those teachings to decide if participation is right.

Biblical Worldview

            The immaculate conception of the Lord Jesus Christ unto Mary, His birth, death, burial, and resurrection are all wonders of what can occur, when God has his hand involved.  One could argue, from a scientific perspective, that one or these occurrences are an example of stem cell reproductive methods or cloning.  But we believe in what the Bible tells us in John 3:16. It doesn’t matter how Jesus came to be, but that he was sent to take away the sins of the world.

References

Bednar, M. M. (2016). Endogenous tissue regeneration and restoration, maximizing our human potential: An ethical alternative to human embryonic stem cells. Issues in Law & Medicine, 31(2), 217.

Collins, F. S. (2007). The language of god: A scientist presents evidence for belief (1st Free Press trade pbk. ed.). New York: Free Press.

Pozgar, G. D., & Santucci, N. M. (2016). Legal aspects of health care administration (Twelfth ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Van den Berg, M.E.S. (Elbie). (2012). Human reproductive cloning and biotechnology: Rational, ethical and public concerns. Koers - Bulletin for Christian Scholarship, 77(2), 1. doi:10.4102/koers.v77i2.412

2. Each reply must be at least 450 words must be supported by at least 1 scriptural reference and at least 3 scholarly references in APA format. Provide critical analysis of:

1) the ethical issues for society

2) the ethical issues for a Christian healthcare professional

3) whether and how a Christian should participate in such efforts

Student Answer below:

Topic: DNA Testing

When it comes to DNA testing there can be a lot of the issues as it pertains to society. Do you need testing is seen sometimes as skeptical when it comes to society. A lot of times people believe that DNA testing can cause a lot of problems in families. Because science can be scary DNA testing is sometimes not welcomed into our society. In society DNA testing can I have so many legal and confidentiality problems.

Ethical issues as it pertains to the Christian world has to do with a lot of skepticism. Some Christians feel that it's not sciences please to manipulate nor to deal with DNA. It is the seen that God makes us all and it is only his place for DNA to be tested or manipulated. From the Christian perspective, it also can be seen that science is playing God when it comes to DNA testing. Finding out our future before it happens can be seen as not a good way to walk the Christian life out.

However, at the end of the day it is the patient's choice to decide whether DNA testing is right for them. It is not anyone's place but there is to say what would work best for them. DNA testing can provide so much insight in a head start on things such as health problems ancestry findings and insight into oneself. There should always be a right to choose and it is important that no one is guilty or discriminated if they choose if this is right for them. Sometimes the church and had such harsh comments and replies when it comes to the world of science. If it is the patience to wait to participate in DNA testing then that is their choice and they should not be condemned for making that choice.

It is wrong and hurtful and hurtful for either society or the church/religious world to put restrictions on someone's life when it comes to something so personal. DNA testing can open up the door to so many results and change people’s lives forever so something that should be entered very carefully and prayerfully.  It is very important that we do not fall into the "mentality but that we hold our own opinions and seek God in the bedroom for answers when it comes to our house and when it into sex websites. We can be very frustrating to want to participate in something but limited because of what society or the church world might think.it is more refreshing and encouraging and society/the church could redirect someone's passion to want to participate in DNA testing back to God and allow God to handle that decision between the person and himself.

When we get in the way of God communicating with others when it pertains to situations in their life I feel like that is a bigger mistake and someone wanting to investigate further into their lives. Where is the information for us to be fair with one another and allow each other to express our opinions when it comes to DNA testing and allow God to be the ultimate director and guider of our decisions.

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