I would furher point out that it is not the priciple of scientific research that is objected to (by most Christians) but rather incomplete and sloppy research.
It is scientists who took the quick and easy way, jumping to the conclusion that only embryonic cells would do, who raised false hopes of cures.
Time, patience and the responsible use of scientific method later showed that adult and placental cells offered much more promise.
If science had incorporated even the most rudimentary vestiges of natural moral law, much less the Christian perspective, then strides could have been made even faster in cellular research. Using ethical guidlines never prevents progress, it only protects civilization from the profane
Your post is well put, and wise.
Science is self-correcting.
It is scientists who took the quick and easy way,
"Quick" and "easy" aren't words that one would normally use when talking about scientific research.
jumping to the conclusion that only embryonic cells would do,
They did?
who raised false hopes of cures.
The media is mostly to blame for that. They don't 'do' science stories well.
Time, patience and the responsible use of scientific method later showed that adult and placental cells offered much more promise.
ES cells are the most promising.
No one is married to 'em, so if something better is found... they'll go with that.
If science had incorporated even the most rudimentary vestiges of natural moral law,
Institutional review boards.
An institutional review board (IRB), also known as an independent ethics committee (IEC) or ethical review board (ERB) is a committee that has been formally designated to approve, monitor, and review biomedical and behavioral research involving humans with the aim to protect the rights and welfare of the research subjects.
much less the Christian perspective, then strides could have been made even faster in cellular research.
So, ah, how come the Catholic colleges aren't the world leaders in this field then?
Using ethical guidlines never prevents progress, it only protects civilization from the profane
As long as the ethical guidelines are ones you agree with, of course.