Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, vol. 11, issue 32 (Summer 2012): 190-205 ISSN: 1583-0039 © SACRI NICOLAE-OVIDIU GRAD IONEL-CIPRIAN POP ION-AUREL MIRONIUC STEM CELLS THERAPY AND RESEARCH. BENEFITS AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES Abstract: The research on stem cell-based therapies has greatly expanded in recent years. Our text attempts to seek those religious and ethical challenges that stem cell therapy and research bring into debate. Our thesis is that bioethics can defend its principle without a religious background. We will develop our argumentation on three major points: firstly, a comparison between secular ethics and religious views will clarify why stem cell therapy and research are important from a scientific point of view, addressing the very center of the human being; in our view, being based on secular society, bioethics can answer the challenges of stem cell therapy and research; secondly, following Hans Jonas’ perspective on experimenting on humans, we seek to understand the philosophical guidance that sciences dealing with stem cell need; thirdly, we will map the ethical guidelines for clinical translational research that have been adopted by the International Society for Stem Cell Research. Key Words: stem cell research, stem cell therapy, bioethics, human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, regenerative medicine, religious challenges, ethical challenges Nicolae-Ovidiu Grad Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Surgical Clinic II, Cluj- Napoca, Romania E-mail: ovidiugrad@gmail.com Ionel-Ciprian Pop Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Surgical Clinic II, Cluj- Napoca, Romania E-mail: doc_cip@yahoo.com Ion-Aurel Mironiuc Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Surgical Clinic II, Cluj- Napoca, Romania E-mail: aurelmironiuc@yahoo.com