Dec
13
Technological advances open up new realms for man. Sometimes, an advance presents ethical challenges never previously contemplated. But, every once in a while, the research itself makes the challenge – before anything has even been developed! Such is the case with Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Currently, stem cells are being extracted from embryos for research, and, at the time of this writing, this procedure kills the embryo. If cures are exposed , then a full scale cultivation – and harvest – of embryos will ensue. So, how does the Naturalist view this? What about the Biblical Theist? And, what about the Humanist?
The Naturalistic View. The Naturalist is for the life of an embryo over any present, malady-ridden human. Beneficial mutations arise randomly, and the new life of any species has always been the engine that drives evolution. But even more importantly, in set alight of our impending doom [our sun is dying], any one of these new lives may possess the needed genius to deliver us from our coming fate. As it now stands, a relatively few number of embryos have been exterminated. But even this loss is really unacceptable to the Naturalist, as our next Einstein may now be strewn in some lab somewhere. But if this research does lead to cures, embryos will be grown for harvest. So, here is the question. When a species consumes its own kind, what is this called? You already know the pledge . Therapies coming from embryonic stem cell harvesting will be a sophisticated form of cannibalism.
I hear the screeching even now. “What kind of radical lunacy is that? Cannibalism? Cannibalism is the intake of the flesh of ones own species! Nobody is intake an embryo! They will enter sick bodies by injection, implant, pills – or some way other than intake . And besides that, intake is for nutrition – and the embryos will be consumed for medicinal purposes!” Well, are you done yet? “*#%@* no, you twisted, *#+%*, ! These embryos will be used to heal broadcast of all kinds of horrific diseases. Do you want these suffering broadcast to perish? And what if it’s your Dad or Mom or child – or you – who can be healed? You will change your tone real quick. And what if ….” I know you are still balustrade , but I must cut you off now and address persons not ruled by emotion.
Embryonic stem cell therapies will be the consumption of one genetically complete (and unique) human life form – by another genetically complete (and unique) human life form. Any biologist, researcher, or doctor who denies this corporal reality has left the realm of science – and opted for some kind of metaphysical speculation. An embryo is human flesh. It is nothing else and it cannot become anything else. It’s just very young and very small – and unable to defend itself.
As far as the “intake ” of an embryo, from an embryo’s viewpoint, whether injected or chewed up – this is a distinction without a difference. The embryo’s life ends – with a member of its own species consuming its stem cells. This is at least “a sophisticated form of cannibalism.” But, the more I reckon about it, this is just plain ancient cannibalism with a high tech twist.
Concerning “nutrition versus medicine,” our body often uses food to heal and repair itself. And if it is my Mom or Dad, or child (or me) who would be cured by this cannibalism, what does that have to do with anything? Does personal need supplant fact? It might for the Humanist, but never for the Naturalist or Biblical Theist. The Naturalist would not be concerned if we consumed the stem cells of pigs or cows, but a species growing and consuming its own preborn? Even the desire to do such a thing sounds alarms in right Naturalists. Surely the desire, and practice, of the cannibalization of one’s preborn population should be a part of self-extinction science. Maybe the dinosaurs started intake their own eggs.
“Ah! But these research embryos are frozen ‘extras’ destined for the dump. And if cures are found, the embryos grown for harvest would be grown only for that purpose.” This is not the speech of the Naturalist. Read on.
The ability of making “test tube” embryos opens a whole new planet for the thinking, non-cannibalistic Evolutionist! Rather than growing embryos for harvest why not grow them for birth and unique adulthood? With current technologies, the “test tube” would be replaced by a “rubberized womb” – programmed to imitate a mother’s daily range of endeavor . And here’s the best part. All fluids would be unquestionably free of pollutants! No ***** babies, alcohol hurt babies, tobacco hurt babies …. These newborns would have no impurities – other than what was present in the first two original cells! What an enhancement to evolutionary development! So, what makes more sense scientifically? Cannibalize the coming generation for a current, malady-ridden, older one, or bring all embryos to fruition as they may hold the beneficial mutations we desperately need? For the Naturalist, the pledge is evident.
The Biblical Theistic View. Before the advent of artificial insemination, egg fertilization occurred only in the womb at the discretion of the designer . But even in the “test tube,” man cannot make the egg fertile – much less make an embryo. These “test tube” embryos are simply the result of humans manipulating other human life. Manipulation into life does not translate into Designer civil Civil rights over life. Embryos are not cut-rate to fodder for cannibalization or the nonsense dump. These “throw away” embryos are as human as you and I. Whoever manipulates these humans into life are responsible for their well being. The manipulator becomes – a surrogate parent.
Man will always be subject to the decrees, standards and judgements of the designer of life. The Author of the Bible claims to be that designer , and there is no indication He ever intends on relinquishing this position of sole province . “See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me. It is I who place to fatality and give life ….” (Deut 32:39). I believe the “flash ” that causes innately inorganic elements to come to life will always rest with the designer . Man will never figure it out, replicate it, or bottle it.
Once alive, no human can act against the life of another human unless that human is guilty of a capital offense. An embryo is fully – and only – human life. These attacks on embryos are premeditated killings with future charges of cannibalism. “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 Jn 5:17).
The Bible maintains that human life is the most vital object in our observable corporal universe. It would be better to face the designer as a insincere , adulterous, slovenly drunkard – rather than an embryonic stem cell research advocate or participant. The eternal punishment will be less severe.
Some contend these “extra” embryos should be used for the greater excellent – research now and therapies later. After all, they already exist and will come to nothing as they are not slated for implant. This amoral position assumes no one has any responsibility for embryos being placed in such a risky situation. This assumption will not prevail before the designer .
The Humanistic View. It is only here that embryonic stem cell happenings have a home. Because the embryo has been declared nonhuman, or subhuman, then anything can be done with this blob of protoplasm. The life of the embryo can be experimented with, removed, or given to another human. After all, an embryo is only the size of this period. (Your eye just skipped it.) For the Humanist, any consideration contrary to the embryo’s life – trumps that life. The curiosity of researchers trump the embryo’s life. Cries for cures trump the embryo’s life. Economic gains for a State (i.e., California) trump the embryo’s life. Politicians, who smell the gain of votes, trump the embryo’s life. Any grounds which the Humanist envisions as some kind of gain for somebody – other than the embryo – trump the embryo’s life. The unscientific declaration – “the preborn is not human life” – fosters all kinds of predictable atrocities. With science abandoned and Biblical Theism gone, the sole authority for valuation is opinion – ashore in nothing. The “substance” of Humanism is thin air….
[When abortion on demand was legalized, many pro-lifers warned of a “slippery slope” with human life being devalued in all kinds of ways. But, I doubt anyone envisioned cannibalism of the preborn.]
COY