One of the most confusing moral issues that confronts us today is the issue of embryonic stem cell research. It is being touted as the miracle cure for many illnesses. Prominent celebrities such as Christopher Reeve and Michael J. Fox have lobbied the government for support of this research.

Stem cells are “master cells” which produce other cells and tissues. They are found in embryos as well as adults, in placentas and in umbilical cord blood. Research on embryonic stem cells is promoted because some believe they will be more flexible than stem cells from other sources.

There has been much progress using adult stem cells. My wife Sharon is in remission from Multiple Myeloma after receiving three stem cell transplants of her own stem cells.

Two things must be remembered about embryonic stem cell research. First, taking stem cells from an embryo destroys a human being. Second, lab experiments with embryonic stem cells have proved ineffective, and even disastrous in animals.

Tom Strode, in “Stem Cells: Miracle Cure?” (For Faith and Family, September 2004, p. 6-7) lists five things you should know about stem cell research.

1. Some stem cell research is destructive and some is not. Removal of stem cells from adult tissue, placenta or cord blood causes no harm to the donor, while extraction of the cells from an embryo destroys the embryo.

2. Embryonic stem cell research always results in a human being’s destruction. Even at only five or six days old, the embryo has its complete genetic makeup, and only needs time and protection to develop into a man or woman.

3. Non-embryonic stem cell research is producing remedies. More than forty diseases have been treated with non-embryonic stem cells.

4. Embryonic stem cell research has produced no remedies. There is as of yet not one proven successful therapy in humans or animals with embryonic stem cells. Animal experiments have tended to produce tumors.
 

5. There is no ban on stem cell research. Current federal policy only prohibits federal funding that results in the destruction of embryos. Federal funding on stem cells extracted before Bush's 2001 order is allowed. There is no limit on privately funded research. But there is little private funding, because embryonic stem cell research has shown so little promise in actual experiments.

Stem Cell Research

by Bob Prichard

www.oxfordchurchofchrist.com