The ethics of embryology

'Ensoulment', the 14-day limit, and co-operation with evil

here has been a flood of highly significant if poorly reported developments in embryo research in recent years, all of which raise new and confusing questions for Christians and non-Christians alike. Is it acceptable to use stem cells to create embryo-like structures to research on? Should we ban all efforts to perfect gene editing, even if that stops us effectively eradicating some horrible conditions? And would it be wise to extend the current rules on embryo research to let scientists go further in the lab, as many would like? In this episode we wrestle with how Christians can handle the dizzying pace and confusion of scientific development in this field, to continue to make good ethical choices even at some personal cost. And should we prepare for a future world where Christians may have to opt out of lifesaving treatments because of how they are developed?

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