Unfulfilled Promises
The morality of embryonic stem cell research was one of the most contentious pro-life debates of the mid-2000s. Some researchers intensely pushed for the acceptance of this research.
They claimed that if the doctors could harness the amazing and adaptable power of these cells, countless diseases could be eradicated; and medicine would forever be changed; however, their enthusiasm was checked by those who questioned the ethics of killing human embryos by extracting their stem cells. It is impossible to perform this research without killing the embryo.
Although treatments using adult stem cells have already been proven successful, these researchers continue their push to use these deadly practices on human embryos.
In 1998, researchers isolated stem cells from human embryos. 25 years later, studies cannot provide any groundbreaking discoveries, much less attribute any successful medical treatments to embryonic stem cells.
Irrespective of these facts, researchers in this field argue that given enough time earthshattering medical and scientific discoveries will be made using human embryos. Last year in June, the International Society for Stem Cell Research had their annual meeting. During the meeting, many new studies were introduced and presented. None of these studies have yet to provide any kind of solid evidence for the experimental use of human embryos. Over the years, many projects have lost their financial support due to lack of substantial results.
In spite of this reality, many in this field of study radically continue to pursue this deadly boondoggle. Researchers make bold claims about the possibility of revolutionary discoveries, but all they can provide is anecdotal evidence. Many labs have raised millions of dollars by stirring up this kind of zeal; however, not everyone is fooled by this propaganda.
Timothy Caulfield, a health law professor at the University of Alberta responded to the theatrics of those researching human embryos, “You have to make it exciting, revolutionary, or the money is going somewhere else.”
Only a few months ago, a study that sought to link embryonic stem cells with a permanent cure for diabetes lost its funding. In January of this year, CRISPR Therapeutics, the Swiss American biotechnology company, lost their financial support from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The company that had once spent 900 million dollars to be linked with embryonic stem cell research decided it wanted out.
Hidden Agenda
Researchers claim that their failure to obtain any kind of positive result from human embryos is solely because of resistance from “radical religious” people. They argue that questioning the ethics of using human embryos for research has slowed down the process of science.
In opposition to the facts, they contend that this kind of moral interference obstructs medical progress which could save lives.
For example, in 2004, a California ballot initiative established embryonic stem cell research as a “constitutional right” in that state and allotted 3,000,000,000 dollars of taxpayer money for research over the next ten years.
The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine used this initiative, Proposition 7, and the funds to explore different possible cures using human embryos. Nineteen years since the initiative started and billions of dollars later and there is next to nothing to show for it.
Regardless of almost endless funding and perhaps the most advanced scientific resources on the planet, embryonic stem cell research appears to be a dead end. Yet, some scientists insist there is some use in those cells. But why? Why is it so important to find a cure with human embryonic stem cells when adult stem cells are working?
The answer lies in the principles behind this research. If the concept of human embryos can be reduced to that of scrap material for experiments, then the concept of human life can be distorted. These researchers divert their audience’s attention by focusing on the possibility of saving the lives of humans outside of the womb while taking the lives of the most defenseless among us.
They claim that pro-life groups force their so-called restrictive ethical standards on the scientific community and inhibit medical, and therefore human, progress. However, if there is no cultural ethical standard that guards scientists, the only determiner of standards in the scientific realm will be money, social power, and prestige.
The acceptance of Personhood for all people, in or out of the womb, is so fundamental to any conversation about anything that impacts human life. Denying the inherent value of fellow humans because of their race, size, age, or ability, has often been the cause of many evils in this country and the world.
Our current society tries desperately to separate themselves from the “sins” of their forefathers, going so far as wishing to erase their names from history. Yet this same society does everything in its power to undermine the worth of the lives it considers weaker than their own.
Although there are some ethical standards that researchers are supposed to follow as they exploit human embryos in the name of progress, they persistently push back against these standards. People that accept these destructive ways of thinking will find other appeasing ways to communicate their message to our culture.
It is of the utmost importance for us to be discerning of what we hear and see, while comparing everything to scripture and bringing it before the Lord in prayer.
Those that recognize the Biblical Personhood of human embryos know this research is murder, and therefore have a strong moral obligation to inform others, to watch for unethical methods of research, and to end it.
Ephesians 5:6–10
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not become partners with them; for at one time, you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Sources: https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/08/09/1077580/embryonic-stem-cells-25-years-
treatments/; https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/vertex-cuts-ties-crispr-therapeutics-type-1-diabetes-stem-
cell-therapy; https://www.freethink.com/health/stem-cells-heart-failure; https://www.technologyreview.com/2010/10/01/90165/a-new-way-to-make-stem-cells/; https://www.biospace.com/article/vertex-slams-down-900-million-to-expand-sickle-cell-and-thalassemia-partnership-with-crispr-therapeutics/
Virginia-Lee Finnell
Georgia Right to Life, Intern