Insight

Medical Miracles,
Medical Ethics

Jewish spiritual leaders offer insight into embryonic stem cell research.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
StaffWriter

IV

Unused Embryos

The stem cell research discussed by President Bush involves
embryos created in a lab, not implanted in a woman's
uterus.
Embryos that remain outside the womb have no chance
to become children, and therefore it is a "mitzvah" to use
those embryos for research," says Rabbi Elliot Dorff, rector
and professor of philosophy at the (Conservative)
University of Judaism in Los Angeles. "It's not only permit-
ted, there is a Jewish mandate to do so," he says.
Citing the Jewish tradition's imperative to heal and save
human life, many Jewish ethicists agree that Jewish tradi-
tion allows embryos to be destroyed if the research has the
potential to benefit society.

ith President George W Bush's recent
announcement to support federal funding for
limited embryonic stem cell research, local
rabbis joined Jewish ethicists and organiza-
tions in debating the finer moral points of the issue.
Stem cells, with their unique capacity to renew them-
selves and develop into specialized .cell types, are used by
researchers to replace damaged or diseased cells.
The fact that embryonic stem cells can proliferate indefi-
nitely allows for a spectacular opportunity for research that
many believe could lead to cures for Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's disease, diabetes,
multiple sclerosis and heart dis-
ease, among others. But it also
creates controversial discussion
of the ethics of performing
research on human embryos.
Although rabbis from the
Reform, Orthodox,
Conservative and Secular
Humanist streams of Judaism
agree with the Talmudic defini-
tion that an embryo less than
40 days old is "as if it were mere
Left to right: Rabbi Dannel Schwartz, Rabbi Adam Chalom, Rabbi Elliot Pachter,
fluid," they still have concerns
for the moral justification of the Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg
research as well as the future
studies it may spawn.
"Even if halachically [according to Jewish law] an embryo
We must do everything we can to save a human life,"
is not considered true human life until 40 days, it still has
says Rabbi Dannel Schwartz of (Reform) Temple Shir
all the hallmarks of potential life," says Rabbi Elimelech
Shalom in West Bloomfield. "Stem cells of fetuses that are
Silberberg of the (Orthodox) Sara Tugman Bais Chabad
not going to be able to live outside of the womb should be
Torah Center in West Bloomfield. "It is still viewed as very
utilized in this way."
sacred. This is really more a philosophical and ethical issue
He does not, however, sanction creating embryos for use
rather than a religious issue."
in research.
Rabbi Elliot Pachter of (Conservative) Congregation B'nai
Neither does Rabbi Adam Chalom of the (Secular
Moshe in West Bloomfield calls "the path of medical research
Humanist) Birmingham Temple in Farmington Hills. "If
truly amazing — wondrous — like a miracle. If we ever saw
embryos are created for the purpose of being destroyed sim-
the wonder of God's creation we're seeing it here, in how far
ply to harvest stem cells, that is morally distasteful," he says.
we've come with the technology to extend life and cure illness.' ,
Rabbi Dorff feels creating an embryo specifically to be a
But he adds emphatically that the research should include
source of stem cells is permissible, but less morally justifiable.
only embryos that were already created for another purpose
"But if they are already created," says Rabbi Chalom,
and would be destroyed if not used for research.
"and if potential parents give permission for them to be
Rabbi Moshe Tendler, professor of Jewish Medical Ethics at
used for research after they've served their purpose, it seems
the (Orthodox) Yeshiva University in New York, called stem
to be a middle ground."
cell research "the hope of mankind ... the only hope we have
He believes destroying embryos that could be used for
of understanding what's going on in the field of oncology."
research creates "a wasted opportunity."

Remember
When • • •

From the pages of the Jewish News for
this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.

1991

Detroiter Roz Fuertes was elected one
of the new secretaries of the New
Horizons Chapter, City of Hope.

1981

Marshall Rubin, formerly of Oak
Park, addressed the annual confer-
ence of the Mental Health
Association in Michigan.
Rabbi David Nelson of
Congregation Beth Shalom con-
ducted Shabbat services for the 20-
family Jewish community in Juno,
Alaska.

1971

The U.S. State Department refused
to endorse bills in Congress to pro-
vide 30,000 emergency visas for
Jewish citizens of the Soviet Union
to settle in the U.S.
Study grants were awarded to 23
Druze students from a village on
Mount Carmel to promote public
education among the Druze.
Detroiters Leslye Raymer and
Joyce Fields were appointed to
teach in the nursery of the Jewish
Community center.

1961

Mrs. I. Jerome Hauser headed the
delegation of the Detroit Chapter
of Hadassah to the national con-
vention in Denver.
Detroiter Maurice A. Berman of
Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance Company won an all-
expense paid trip to Milwaukee for
the company's annual convention.
Detroiter Sol Lifsitz became the
Wayne County highway engineer.

1951

Austin Kanter of Detroit is the
youngest insurance man in
Michigan to earn his chartered life
underwriter certificate; he is 23.
David P. Zack, a Detroit account-
ant, was named a member of the
State Board of Accountancy by the
governor.
The Bagelox Shoppe opened at
Dexter and Calvert in Detroit.

— Compiled by Sy Monello,
editorial assistant

