Sacred Cells? tells the little-known story of Christian theologians who have been actively involved with leading scientists in the lab to determine the ethical implications of stem cell research. And contrary to popular expectation, these Christians have been courageously advocating in favor of research. Three of these dynamic theologians tell their story in this book, providing a brief history of stem cell science and outlining why people of faith can and should support research.

Theologians and scientists at the Francisco J. Ayala Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California, have edited this comprehensive volume. Editor-in-chief Ted Peters teaches systematic theology and ethics at the GTU. Partner editors include Robert John Russell, Ian G. Barbour Professor of Theology and Science at the GTU; Joshua Moritz, managing editor of the journal Theology and Science on behalf of CTNS; and Martinez Hewlett, Professor Emeritus of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona and adjunct professor at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at the GTU.

Preface
Chapter 1: The Ethical Pre-History of Stem Cells
Chapter 2: From Science to Ethics in a Flash
Chapter 3: Working within the Research Standards Framework
Chapter 4: Three Contending Frameworks for Stem Cell Ethics
Chapter 5: The Embryo Protection Framework
Chapter 6: The Human Protection Framework
Chapter 7: The Future Wholeness Framework
Chapter 8: Ethical Smoke and Mirrors in Washington
Chapter 9: The Hidden Theology Behind the International Debates
Chapter 10: The Vatican's Strong Stand
Chapter 11: The Vatican and Embryology
Chapter 12: The Vatican Argument in a Cracked Nutshell
Chapter 13: Leon Kass, Protector of Human Nature
Chapter 14: Jewish and Muslim Bioethics
Chapter 15: The Terror of the Chimera
Chapter 16: Justice and the Patenting Controversy
Chapter 17: The Spiritual Soul and Human Dignity
Chapter 18: The Ethics of the Ethicists
Chapter 19: Theologians Say "Yes" to Regenerative Medicine
Index
About the Authors