'The Ultimate Stem Cell' Is Ethical, Too

Scientists find “ultimate stem cell”—in adults, with no cloning necessary “It might turn out to be the most important cell ever discovered,” raves New Scientist magazine. And indeed, it just might be. Catherine Verfaillie of the University of Minnesota has discovered stem cells in adult bone marrow that can become any other bodily tissue. It may put an end to debates over embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning; not just because harvesting these cells are ethically problem-free, but also because these cells are reportedly better than those from embryos. “This comes as great news during this sanctity of life week—both for those who mourn the huge loss of unborn human life in recent decades as well as those who have challenging medical conditions,” Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity President John Kilner says in a press release. “If confirmed, we no longer need to wait until human cloning becomes reliable—something that may never happen—to pursue therapies and treatments. The genetically appropriate, flexible stem cells patients need are right there in their own bodies.” The Christian Medical Association is similarly ecstatic. “If the remarkable results of this study prove consistent with early published reports, then no reasonable person could justify violating ethical barriers to clone and harvest human embryos for their cells,” the organization’s executive director, David Stevens, says in another press release. “Given this breakthrough news and the consistent performance of adult stem cells, if you were investing in the stock of companies pursuing therapies from adult stem cells or from cloned human embryonic stem cells, where would you put your money?” Expect much more commentary on this in the days ahead.

Dove award nominations released Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby McKeehan, Nicole C. Mullen, and Rebecca St. James each earned eight nominations for Dove Awards, the Gospel Music Association’s annual contest. Michael W. Smith received seven nominations, while last year’s big winner, Third Day, received six. That newcomers and oldtimers both received so many nominations is evidence that the Christian music industry is growing up, GMA president Frank Breeden tells The Tennesseean. “It’s no longer dominated by a few artists and styles,” he says. “Our senior class and our freshman class are both represented very well.” Oddly enough, the annual Dove Awards sometimes have no relationship to what artists and bands have done over the last year. Nichole Nordeman, 2000’s female vocalist of the year, is nominated again this year. “I’m really surprised because I haven’t really done much recently,” she tells the Associated Press. “I’ve been in the (recording) studio and traveling and out of the public eye. … There’s definitely a sense of satisfaction that my peers nominated me anyway.” Or maybe it’s like Frasier winning the Emmys year after year—voters pick a name and stick with it.

Washington’s Episcopalians won’t get a bishop who believes homosexual practice is sinful As Episcopal leaders gather at Washington’s National Cathedral tonight to elect a bishop, conservatives in the church complain that they’ve been shut out of the process. The diocese has mandated that all candidates for the position must be “firmly committed to the full inclusion of women and gay and lesbian people in the life of the church.” So although there are reportedly no candidates for the position who oppose the ordination of homosexuals, one of the candidates is openly gay. (Thanks to onReligion.com for alerting Weblog to these articles.)

Alpha course show okayed Remember earlier stories about the British reality TV series based on the Alpha evangelistic course? The National Secular Society brought a complaint against it, saying it violated British law prohibiting mainstream networks from airing evangelistic shows. Fortunately, the Independent Television Commission dismissed the complaint, saying the Alpha show didn’t put any pressure on viewers. (Premier Christian Radio hasn’t fared so well against such ridiculous complaints.)

Life ethics:

Bush message enlivens antiabortion crowd | Cloning, U.S. funding issues raised; counterdemonstrators hold vigil supporting Roe v. Wade (The Washington Post)
Plus: Bush backs rallying anti-abortionists (BBC)

Crime:

Colombian nun jailed for sister’s murder | Authorities were finally able to prove her guilty with the aid of forensic tests by the American FBI (BBC)
Senate agrees to widen abuse bill | Clergy would be required to report past evidence (The Boston Globe)

Church and state:

In home of ‘Scopes Monkey Trial,’ suit targets Bible classes | Judge is asked to stop biweekly ‘ministry’ in public schools (Associated Press)
Religious schools’ use of tax-free bonds spurs church-state debate | Some groups claim allowing tax exemption for parochial institutions amounts to state endorsement of religion (Associated Press)
Constitution doesn’t square religious debate | Supreme Court rulings are unclear, but in the meantime we urge the group of churches to find a way to make display of its nativity scene constitutional, if it isn’t already, so those who wish may continue to see it. (The Bay City Times, Michigan)

Working together:

Jewish, Christian institutions come together | Hebrew College, Andover Newton forge relationship (The Boston Globe)
Nine churches join in unity pledge | Churches Uniting in Christ focuses on racial reconciliation (Associated Press)

Mormonism:

In Olympic glare, a quieter Mormon mission | A church that has translated its scripture into hundreds of languages in the hope of winning converts worldwide has decided not to promote its faith when the Olympics shine a global spotlight on Utah in three weeks (The New York Times)
Mormon mission | The church hopes to show the world it’s in the mainstream. And no proselytizing-promise! (U.S. News & World Report)
In admiration of Mormons | They are honest patriotic, caring, dedicated, conscientious, dependable, wise and frugal (Clotilde Bowen, The Denver Post)

Catholicism:

Roman Catholic Church schism ends | Followers of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre were welcomed back into the fold (Associated Press)
Pope calls Internet an opportunity | Cyberspace “a summons to the great adventure of using its potential to proclaim the Gospel message” (Associated Press)

Popular culture:

Spitfire Grill producer stepping down from Sacred Heart League to devote more time to film making | Roger Courts says 1996 film “has given hope to other independent film makers that they too can pierce the veil of Hollywood” (Desoto Times, Mississippi)
Satire diluted in ‘God’s Man in Texas’ | Laughter deities scarcely bless heavenly comedy (The Denver Post)
Modern gospel music gains new believers | Terror attacks, aging population cited in rise of Christian genre (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
Interview with the ‘new’ Tammy Faye | There is life after scandal, and Tammy Faye says she’s happy now (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)