July 23, 2001
EDITORIAL:
Can we be pro-life & pro-health?
___The debate regarding stem-cell research reflects classic tension between closely held values. We must find a clear, compassionate and consistent answer to this major bio-ethical dilemma that, thus far, has pitted babies against victims of disease.
___On one hand, embryonic stem cells embody the foundation of human life. After a sperm penetrates an egg, the new cell keeps dividing. This base set of cells eventually forms tissues and organs and develops into a completed baby. Pro-life advocates guard the sanctity of embryos as the beginning of human life.
___On the other hand, stem cells provide potential to heal and preserve people struck down by disease and trauma. Scientists are studying those microscopic cells, which can develop into many kinds of tissue, to see how they can be formatted to heal defective organs, cure diseases and restore injured tissue. They believe stem cells can be utilized to work medical miracles. Think of the wonder of cures for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and diabetes, as well as treatments for spinal cord injuries, burns and strokes. Advocates for victims of maladies strongly urge research that can lead to restored health for millions of people.
___Three out of four sources for human stem cells involve embryos--unused embryos created for in vitro fertilization, aborted fetuses and embryos created specifically to retrieve the stem cells. The fourth source, adult stem cells, generally has been considered more rigid and difficult to manipulate for rehabilitative medical purposes.
___Consequently, abortion has become the major factor in the stem-cell debate. Opponents of abortion obviously decry the use of aborted fetal stem cells for medical research. Many of them also oppose research on embryos created by in vitro fertilization, insisting the embryo already is a pre-born human being and its destruction is murder. A much larger group, including even many who support stem-cell research, regard creation of embryos for scientific/commercial purposes alone to be immoral.
___Advocates of stem-cell research maintain the use of embryos is acceptable, given the potential good of the research. Surely, lives will be saved and incalculable suffering eliminated by the results of research on these cells. The good that can be done for already-born people outweighs the cost to pre-born embryos, they insist.
___So, anyone who has held and loved a newborn baby understands the cost on one side, and anyone who has ever wept with a loved one suffering from an incurable disease recognizes the possibility on the other side.
___Can we be pro-life and pro-health? Can we find a middle way, which will preserve the sanctity of new life and protect the sacredness of diseased life?
___Let me be clear: I believe life begins when a mother becomes pregnant, and I do not favor abortion. From the moment Joanna and I knew we had conceived our daughters, they were our precious children. We also have prayed and wept with dear friends who could not bear children until in vitro fertilization enabled them to conceive. We did not criticize this decision, even when the procedure produced embryos that were not used. On a human, spiritual scale--with real people whose hearts beat for God--I believe they will stand blameless before the Lord regarding the creation of their family.
___This is an extremely complicated, exacting issue. But perhaps we can come to an agreement that would seek to satisfy concerns at both ends of this spectrum.
___Moving from greatest to least consensus, let us propose:
___Enhanced research with adult stem cells, a process not as encumbered with moral questions.
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___Is this a perfect solution? No. Solutions that will please everyone are impossible. But Christian compassion compels us to lead in forming a response that is both ethical and compassionate.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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