New Stem Cell Therapy in Korea

				The press in Korea recently reported on the first stem cell therapy to receive the approval of the Korean Food and Drug Administration for commercial use. The therapy uses somatic stem cells extracted from the patient's own body to treat people with damaged heart conditions. The medication is injected directly into the heart through a coronary artery. The pharmaceutical company says that not all heart disease patients are eligible for the treatment but only those who have had angioplasty surgery will benefit from the treatment. It is reported that the treatment will take about four weeks. The company has conducted clinical trials since 2005 at major general hospitals around the country, while investing about $28 million on research and development  Treatment will cost about $10,000, the company says. The editorial in the Catholic Times describes this new cell therapy as the first of its kind in the world, giving hope to many. The use of adult stem cells--not the use of embryonic stem cells--is something that can be celebrated. There is nothing morally questionable with this medical procedure. The problem, the editorial states, was the way the news was handled by the press, focusing on the great financial windfall that is sure to accrue to the pharmaceutical company, and not focusing on questions concerning the safety of the procedure. Capitalism is based, as we know, on the profit motive. But when life and death issues become entangled with the profit motive, often controlling  medical practice decisions, the editorial expressed reservations. Life, it said, should not be subordinated to other values. Clinical tests to  rule out problems with the procedure have not been adequately completed. And efforts to bring it to the marketplace quickly is no reason to jeopardize life. When we are dealing with life, caution should be our principal concern. This is only the beginning for stem cell research. The therapies that will follow should always take into consideration the protection of life while companies pursue legitimate financial profit. Needless to say, the stock of the pharmaceutical company that introduced this breakthrough procedure did go up after the report in the press.

The Marys and Marthas of the World

In Korea, as in every other country, we have differences of opinion. We have the left, right and middle, words that have taken on meanings that are not difficult to understand. And yet we know that on any issue one can be considered conservative and on other issues, liberal or somewhere in the middle. And with time even these ideological positions can change. 

Our acceptance of Christianity can also have different perspectives. It can be accepted with a preference either for the inner life or the life in society-- the Martha and Mary difference, activists and contemplatives.  Most would understand maturity  as a mix of both,  promoting  a  harmony between the supposed opposites enabling  one to function humanly. But it is here that we  have much discussion, pitting one against the other by the words we choose to use.

This past month the Catholic Journalist Club met for the 11th Catholic Forum,  where participants expressed their views on the role of leadership in the different  areas of Korean life. One of the presenters considered the Church to be too much turned-in on itself, believing the existence of the Church is what is all important. He said that this long-held traditional idea has to be discarded.  Many clerics are too concerned with the internal life of the Church, with its structure and liturgy, than they are with humanity.  The issue of human rights is considered important but, according to the speaker, some continue to maintain the rights of the Church in opposition to human rights.  Shouldn't this interest, he asks, also be the aim of the Church as it is in society?

This issue was made very clear by the speaker. This was the way the Church appeared to him, and yet the Church is not here on earth for itself but for the world. That is rather basic, for the Church is Christ's mystical body. Christ's example is normative to all Christians.  The goal should  be the same for all, but the means taken could be different. Some are action-orientated while others wait for the movement of grace to attain the goal.

It is regrettable that we see the issue in black and white terms--one against the other-- instead of working together in a partnership of gifts to achieve the same goal which both acknowledge. The present Pope, as Cardinal, expressed this goal as teaching the art of living-- the road to happiness--which continues even after death. That not all of  humanity is  living  with the dignity that should be theirs is sad. All of us should see this as our  responsibility to  improve conditions. This is expressed in terms of love of  neighbor. Though this virtue does not immediately energize us for the work here and now, all Christians should have it as the default position in life, and give it practical significance.