My Recent Concerns over the Stem Cell Debate

Cell Debate

Today I am voicing my concern today over two recent innovations in embryonic stem-cell research which scientists claim could successfully address the sanctity of life concerns expressed by Christian leaders over using human embryos for research.

While I appreciate the efforts of medical researchers to find alternatives that will address the life issues implicit in using human embryos for medical experiments, after examining the evidence we must conclude that the procedures in question do not adequately address the moral dilemmas of destroying or harming human life.

One of the procedures, which were reported on in the Oct. 17 online edition of Nature magazine, involves genetically programming an embryo to prevent it from successfully implanting and developing in a woman's uterus. I agree with Dr. David Stevens, a noted spokesman on the stem-cell issue and director of the Christian Medical Association, has likened the experimental procedure to creating a "genetic time bomb."

Dr. Stevens reminds us that this procedure does not change the essential human nature of the embryo and the implications are fraught with potential danger – even death – for an unborn human being. As Dr. Stevens explains, “just because we have the technology to genetically alter an embryo, that doesn't give us the right to dispose of it once we are finished with our research. This procedure simply doesn't address serious life concerns."

In the other procedure, scientists removed a cell from an eight-cell embryo, using the harvested cell to develop embryonic stem cells.

I feel that in the procedure researchers employ a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which is normally used to screen unborn children for genetic disorders. While it is true that this procedure has been successful using mouse embryos, there remains too much risk to duplicate it using human embryos. Such a procedure, if unsuccessful, could easily result in the death of an unborn child. Beyond that, we simply can't overlook the fact that PGD is a technique used to 'search and destroy,' if you will, genetically imperfect embryos.

No one has been able to demonstrate any scientific successes from using embryonic stem cells in medical research. Apart from the serious ethical implications of embryonic stem-cell research, there has been no practical benefit from this objectionable technique By contrast, however, non-embryonic stem cell research – using umbilical cord blood, bone marrow and adult stem cells – has resulted in many successful medical advancements. Instead of further calls for federal funding on the unproven – and ethically objectionable – use of embryonic stem cells, we need to be putting our efforts and resources into this proven, successful research strategy.