The Works of God

There are significant moral arguments that can be made against embryonic stem cell research.  Scott Klusendorf provides five arguments in this article from last year.

As one commenter also pointed out, adult stem cell research is perfectly fine, and has already demonstrated significant successes without the need to destroy people.  I speak only against embryonic stem cell research and application.

I referenced a Biblical argument yesterday, and several people asked what it was.  Here is a brief overview.

First, to harvest stem cells from an embryo destroys it.  This is an intentional act against a genetically unique human.  The commandment against murder is appropriately applied.

But it is not the only case that should be made against destroying the weakest of the weak:

• God knows us before we are formed (Jeremiah 1:5)
• God calls the weaker members indispensable (1 Corinthians 12:22)
• God has regard for the weak, and he will judge those who take advantage of them (Ezekiel 34:16)
• Paul instructs us that we should help the weak, recognizing the blessing we receive when we give rather than take (Acts 20:35)
• We are warned not to mistreat a child without a father to protect him (Exodus 22:22)
• We shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great (Leviticus 19:15)

God has great regard for the weaker member.  We do well to warn people against incurring increasing measures of his wrath.

We should tremble at what the embryonic stem-cell industry represents – the powerful completely dominating the rights and even the existence of the weak.  This immoral exchange is being sold as a benefit – but only for those already living, and only to achieve a certain quality of life.  This is not similar to someone who has died and who has donated the use of their organs – unless we killed that person to harvest those organs.

It is completely opposite to how Jesus behaved.  He served us, to the very end.

Embryonic human beings have no rights, babies in the womb have no rights, children with disabilities in the womb are expected to be aborted, and there are arguments made that children born with disabilities should be ‘mercifully’ killed.  Where does it end if it doesn’t end here?

And for those living with disabilities, God himself warns those who would do you harm:

You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.  Leviticus 19:14

Let us live differently, trusting God to provide all that we need.  And not at the expense of embryonic human life.