Can a cell have a soul?

doi:10.1136/bmj.39581.436875.94

BMJ 2008;336:1132 (17 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39581.436875.94

Views & Reviews

Can a cell have a soul?

John Burn, professor of clinical genetics, Newcastle University

john.burn@newcastle.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The current UK parliamentary debate on amendments to the 1990Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (BMJ 2008:336;1089 doi:10.1136/bmj.39581.373403.DB) has brought to the fore once againthe challenging debate between those who argue that all researchinvolving embryonic stem cells is immoral and those who seeimmense medical potential in this area of research. As a clinicalgeneticist raised in the Christian tradition and interestedin gene hunting and cancer chemoprevention I can claim to offera dispassionate opinion. As head of the research institute wheresome of the most controversial work is under way, and havingbeen a signatory to Liam Donaldson’s report that recommendedthat this research should proceed,¹ I must declare an interest.

Three aspects of stem cell research in which my Newcastle colleagueshave special interest are mitochondrial transplantation, invitro gamete development, and human admixed embryos. In allcases, legitimate clinical targets may . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

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Missing the meaning: A response to John Burn: David A Jones
bmj.com, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
The soul is suprascientific: Felix ID Konotey-Ahulu
bmj.com, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
No souls in cord blood: Josephine M Quintavalle
bmj.com, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
This is not just a Catholic argument: Andrew Fergusson
bmj.com, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
Rationality or pragmatism in embryo research?: Ronald J Clearkin
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The soul of the cell: John H Scotson
bmj.com, 17 May 2008 [Full text]
We have lost our fear: Roger K.A. . Allen
bmj.com, 17 May 2008 [Full text]
A crafty argument: Gonzalo Herranz
bmj.com, 17 May 2008 [Full text]
Can a cell have a soul?: DR MATTHEW THALANANY
bmj.com, 17 May 2008 [Full text]
Focusing on souls, forgetting the genes: Peter H Millard
bmj.com, 20 May 2008 [Full text]
Science Doesn't Explain: Mary L Haasch
bmj.com, 20 May 2008 [Full text]
A solution to the quandary: Iris P. Gonzalez
bmj.com, 21 May 2008 [Full text]
In dubio pro securitate: Barbara Osimani
bmj.com, 21 May 2008 [Full text]
Cells do not have souls.: Alexander SD Spiers
bmj.com, 22 May 2008 [Full text]
Re: In dubio pro securitate: Micahel A Clarke
bmj.com, 22 May 2008 [Full text]
Pragmatic precision: Helen P Watt
bmj.com, 22 May 2008 [Full text]
Re: A crafty argument: John Burn
bmj.com, 24 May 2008 [Full text]
Re: Missing the meaning: A response to John Burn: John Burn
bmj.com, 24 May 2008 [Full text]
The life of the soul and the life of a cell.: Phillip Marzella, et al.
bmj.com, 26 May 2008 [Full text]
A cell cannot have a soul - science or faith?: David JR Hutchon
bmj.com, 28 May 2008 [Full text]
A comment on: Can a cell have a soul?: Shoma Berkemeyer, et al.
bmj.com, 29 Jul 2008 [Full text]