Conservative Judaism/Judaic teaching

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Expert: - 11/24/2005


Question
Hello, thanks in advance for your time. Are you able to tell me what the current Judaic teaching is regarding stem cell research? Even if are unsure but you can give me a lead that would be great. Thanks again.

Answer
Dear Time,

Thanks for writing and I am delighted to report that Judaism is almost unanimous if not completely unanimous in approving of stem cell research for healing although there are differences with regard to such research for human cloning research.

The key concept is "saving of a life" - whether in actuality or potentially - through such research. Israel, with the support of all of the Orthodox, right-wing Rabbis, has approved stem cell research, and certainly the more liberal branches of Judaism echo that approval for the sake of life.

We don't believe that life begins at conception and hence there are no difficulties in stem cell research for the sake of healing.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Expertise

Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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