The book is a study on the recent developments in the field of embryonic stem cell
research, that is, the generation and manipulation/exploitation of human embryos for the
research and therapeutic purposes and analyzes the issue in the light of the Orthodox
theological understanding of human life. The objective of this study is to investigate the
ethical problems of embryonic stem cell research from an Orthodox point of view. The book
provides not a one side of the flow of argumentation, but shows, how important this issue
is and how it can be possibly addressed from the Orthodox perspective.
Contents
Acknowledgement
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Embryonic Stem Cell Research : An Overview
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Biotechnology
1.3 Embryonic Stem Cell Research
1.4 Conclusion
2. Ethical Issues in Embryonic Stem Cell Research
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Ethical Issues Related with the
Beginning of Human Life
2.3 Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Human
Dignity
2.4 Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Quality
of Life
2.5 Issues Related with the Purpose of the
Creation of Embryo
2.6 Conclusion
3. Human Life : An Orthodox Perspective
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Development of Orthodox Theology
3.3 Orthodox Understanding of Human Life
3.4 Procreation and Beginning of Human Life
3.5 Human Being as the Image and Linkeness
of God
3.6 `Theosis' : The Ultimate Aim of Life
3.7 Life as a Perpetual Growth : An Orthodox
Understanding of Death
3.8 Conclusion
4. Embryonic Stem Cell Research : An Orthodox Understanding
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Orthodox Church and Health Care
4.3 Orthodox Understanding of Bioethics
4.4 Orthodox View of Embryonic Stem Cell
Research
4.5 Conclusion
General Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Fr. Dr. Shaji P. John is a priest of Malankara (Indian) Orthodox
Church. He has earned his PhD in Psychology from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and
PhD in Theology from Dharmaram Vidyakshetram, Bangalore. Currently he is serving as a
faculty member of St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur. He teaches different
subjects on Pastoral Care, Counselling and Practical Theology. He is also a visiting
professor of Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC), Kottayam,
Kerala.
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