Stem Cells and the Slippery Slope

Much has been made in the newspapers about stem cells and the pros and cons of supporting stem cell research. Because of the overwhelming amount of attention given embryonic stem cell research, many believe this is the total sum of the debate. The other common expression is that if using embryos will save lives, why not allow this research? Yet each one us began as an embryo. Each embryo is unique with everything needed to become a functioning human adult given time and proper growing conditions. Many also do not know that many of these tiny beings have been adopted, implanted and are now sweet, normal, growing children.

Another illusion is that embryonic stem cell research is illegal. It isn't. All President Bush did was cut off Federal funding for new embryonic stem cell research. There is nothing to keep researchers from using private donations for this controversial procedure, which has shown no positive benefits. Instead this research has caused cancerous growths and other anomalies.

What many do not realize is that there are two entirely different areas of stem cell research. While those who value life may be against embryonic stem cell experimentation, most are not against stem cell research per se. Most, instead, support adult stem cell research, which has already shown positive benefits.

The Holocaust was partly about research for the good of humanity where anyone not Aryan was fair game for gruesome experimentation. Horrendous experiments were done on children and babies. We like to think this would never happen in our day. But it has and it is being done and all because of those determined to use embryos.

According to the BBC News, "Healthy new-born babies may have been killed in Ukraine to feed a flourishing international trade in stem cells."

LifeSiteNews quotes a BBC report, "...tells of dismembered bodies and mature newborn bodies stripped of organs. ...a British forensic pathologist expressed concern. Such dismemberment ... would suggest there was harvesting of stem cells from internal material such as bone marrow."

Telegraph.com.uk reports, "The Council of Europe is to investigate allegations that newborn babies, and foetuses, have been killed to provide stem cells and internal organs for controversial medical and cosmetic treatments."

Once embryonic stem cell is given an official green light, nothing will stop those who traffic in greed from expanding such horrendous practices to other countries. But there is no need. If we concentrate on procedures that don't kill living beings, we stop this practice in its tracks. If we concentrate on what brings life instead of rationalizing that death of one is ok if it benefits another, we will be stronger as individuals and as a nation.

We can choose to slide to the level of the Nazi and create a culture of death or we can stand for life, recognizing killing the most vulnerable among us will not bring life. Instead we'll only put our babies at risk.

Let's choose to foster stem cell or other research that promotes life.