Orthodox Church - Debate Over Stem Cell Research

Like the Vatican, the Russian Orthodox Church believes that human life begins at conception or with the fertilization of a cell. In an interview with "Nezavisimaya gazeta-religii," No. 23, 2001, Father Antonii Ilin, a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate, declared that "any activities with embryos leading to the destruction of the embryos goes against canon law and is equivalent to murder." In an article in "Again" in October 2004, Father John Breck of St. Vladimir's Seminary explained that although some scientists believe that the use of embryonic stem cells in research holds extraordinary potential for developing therapies and medicines that could combat a broad range of diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, muscular dystrophy, and AIDS, the Russian Orthodox faithful must honor the admonition of the Apostle Paul in when he said in the Bible, Romans 3:8: "We may not do evil so that good might come."

Smirnov believes there is a criminal trade in fetuses that are obtained from poor women in Russia and Ukraine who are persuaded to have late abortions. "The women are paid about $200 to have a cesarean at about 15 weeks and the fetus is then passed on to a clinic."

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