A source sheet on the Jewish view of human stem cell research

Changing creation

Then Jacob took himself fresh rods of poplar and hazel and chestnut. He peeled white streaks in them.... He set up the rods which he had peeled in the watering receptacles to which the flocks would drink... Then the flocks became stimulated by the rods and the flocks gave birth to ringed ones, speckled ones and spotted ones. (Seforno [medieval commentator, Sp.]- this was not supernatural)

Genesis 30, 37-39: For on it G-d rested from all the work which he had created to do (for the creatures to do things).

Gen. 2, 3: Creating new creatures

Talmud, Sanhedrin: The right to bring new life to the world

Talmud, Baba Kama 85a: How do we know that permission was given to the healer (doctor) to heal? "You shall surely heal him." (Ex. 21, 19)

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Stem Cell Research

1. Tosaphot, Niddah 44, says that to save a fetus’ life, you violate Shabbat, but if you kill it, it is permitted to kill it.

2. Tosaphot, Hullin 33: Even though a Jew (unlike a gentile) is exempt for killing a fetus, it is still not permissible.

3. Ramban and Ran in the name of Behag: One may violate Shabbat for a fetus before 40 Days.

4. MiSHNAH. Yevamot: A woman must wait three months after divorce or widowhood to remarry to determine the father.

5. Sanhedrin 72b: "Once the head has emerged it may not be harmed." Why, is he not a pursuer? The answer is that it is considered to be from heaven that she is pursued.

6. Rashi, Sanhedrin 72b: ". . removing it limb by limb." This is because as long as it has not emerged into the world it is not a human being [lav nefesh hu], and therefore it can be killed in order to save its mother.

7. Sanhedrin 91: Antoninus also said to Rabbi, ‘When is the soul placed in man? As soon as it is decreed [that the sperm shall be male or female, etc.] or when [the embryo] is actually formed?’ He replied. ‘From the moment of formation.’ He objected: ‘Can a piece of meat be salted for three days without becoming putrid?’ But it must be torn the moment that [God] decrees [its destiny].’ Rabbi said, "This thing Antoninus taught me. and Scripture supports him, for is written, And thy decree hath preserved my spirit [i.e., my soul]."

Antoninus also inquired of Rabbi, "From what time does the evil Tempter hold sway over man; from the formation [of the embryo], or from [its] issuing forth [into the light of the world]?"

— "From the formation," he replied. "If so," he objected, "it would be in its mother’s womb and go forth. But it is from when it issues." Rabbi said: This thing Antoninus taught me, and Scripture supports him, for it is said…

8. Masechet Semachot, ch. I: R. Eliezer b. Jacob said: Whoever masturbates is as though he committed murder; as it is stated, That slay the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks.~ Do not read shollele but sochet (‘that squeeze out’). And the Sages said: He is as though he worshipped idols, as it is stated, Ye that inflame yourselves among …, under every leafy tree.