The
reader will detect a certain amount of angst in this article. Nor only
angst, but melancholy, pathos, depression, etc. It is not the usual style,
but the subject demands such a sober tone. We are talking about stem cell
research and human cloning. Have we come so far that we can now engineer our
progeny? Is that what we want? More importantly, is that what God wants?
President Bush is mulling over the decision of whether or not to spend tax
dollars to further research on stem cell technology. It must be emphasized
that he is deciding whether to fund embryonic stem cell research, not adult
stemcell research or placental stem cell research or umbilical cord stem
cell research. No destruction of life is involved in the latter three types
of research. It is a terrible decision to make. If he says that we should
fund it, millions, perhaps billion of human embryos will start developing in
the pathway of life only to be "harvested" at a certain point to
be determined later. How much later? First trimester? Second? Or third? Or as needed (?) by the harvester in the marketplace?
On the other hand, there are those with spinal cord injuries (Christopher
Reed) who could probably be helped (no guarantees!) by this research. There
are many more paraplegics, hemiplegics etc. who cannot lead normal or
productive lives. Perhaps even Alzheimers will respond to this type of
therapy. Should we just say, " Sorry, we refuse to subsidize this
possible cure for your condition." It seems that it would be immoral to
create human life and then destroy it.
In the cloning sequence, somewhat different from stem cell research, a human
egg extracted from a female, is evacuated of its DNA. It is then filled with
DNA from the other parent and evolves as a clone of that parent that donor
parent only. The principle of cross fertilization ( a type of reproduction
of all higher plants and animals) is circumvented The egg is then stimulated
by a small electrical charge (Shades of Frankenstein!) and begins to divide
(mitosis) and later, specialized sex cell division (miosis). Human life
exists at this point (fertilization) and if conditions are right, an embryo
will develop. Now at what point do we harvest? The blastula stage which is a
globe of ball consisting of at least 8 cells, or do we wait until the
primitive neural groove has developed , the gastrula stage of at least 64
cells? In either case, aren't we destroying life?
The humanists among us will insist that it shouldn't be considered as murder
if we are helping our handicapped citizens. The scientists who advocate this
procedure say they need the embryonic stem cells for research in many forms
of disease and disability. The people who want to clone humans are suspected
of being a supply source of stem cells, due to the 98% failure rate in
cloning as reported in other animals. Don't forget that we are still
animals. Half angel, half animal. Will this new technology be enough to make
us angels? Or will it make us entirely selfish animals who live forever? Who
wants to live forever?
God help and counsel Mr. Bush in his decision. God help and counsel us to
understand and accept Bush's decision.