Cells by God's Grace

The American company NeoStem has entered into an unprecedented contract in the field of research on stem cells obtained from adult humans. Its partner was the Roman Catholic Church, known for its wary attitude towards such research, the MedMedia portal reports, citing the Los Angeles Times.

As you know, the church has always been against the study and use of embryonic stem cells for the same reason that it fights abortion: both of these areas involve the destruction of embryos, which, from the point of view of priests, are living human beings. The Church continues to adhere to this position, but is more loyal to the study of adult stem cells.

The head of the department of science and theology of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Tomasz Trafny, said that the Catholic Church had never before entered into such agreements. According to him, there are two reasons for signing the current contract.

"First, [NeoStem] is extremely interested in understanding the cultural implications of its work, which is very unusual. Many companies seek benefits, and only benefits. And second, they share our sensitivity to moral and ethical issues. Because of this ethical position we have entered into such a unique collaboration,” explained Trafny.

For the company, according to its owner and CEO Robin Smith, the contract became “a seal of approval from the Vatican.”

However, the church does not invest directly in NeoStem. Their interaction primarily concerns the company's non-profit foundation, Stem for Life Foundation.

The Vatican's main activities under the collaboration will be soliciting donations, launching educational campaigns, participating in research and sponsoring a joint conference that the new partners will organize in November in Rome to attract the world's leading experts on adult stem cells.