Monday, August 28, 2006
Still Morally Unacceptable
Recently, Advanced Cell Technology of Worcester, Mass. made a claim that aroused a lot of talk. It claimed to have taken one cell from an 8- cell embryo and developed stem cells from it. The benefit, they said, was that the remaining 7-cell embryo could be implanted and grow to be a baby. Here is an article noting that the ethical issues have not in fact been answered by this technique. Embryonic cell research is still morally unacceptable.
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4 comments:
Does the idea that each cell is able to develop into a full human also mean that each cell has its own soul? I am against stem cell research, but I am wondering if this objection is truly valid. I know that twins who separate after 7 days would each have their own soul, but would any separation result in a new soul?
The next objection is that we don't know how the removal would affect development of the rest, but if each cell could develop into a full human, would this really be an objection?
Kevin Miller
Kevin,
You voice in both of your concerns what might be my greatest concern. We are not smart enough to be playing with this. Just because we can, does not mean that we should, or are qualified. Anyone can pull a trigger, but we don't want those who do not understand what is happening around firearms.
We cannot peer into the fog. The development of twins "naturally" is an act, ultimately, of God, not of man. For man it interpose himself into this raises moral questions that only God is qualified to answer.
We do not know what the effects of our actions will be on the spiritual level. Biologically, we may be able to make a case for this procedure. But humanity exists on a spiritual level, as well. On that level, we are not able to answer for our actions. Because we do not have standing to answer, we ought not act.
"Biologically, we may be able to make a case for this procedure. But humanity exists on a spiritual level, as well."
Very true. I don't want you to think I am trying to think of reasons to support this procedure. I just like analyzing people's arguments for or against things. Sometimes people take a proper position, but the arguments they use to support it aren't always consistent. Also, if we ever have to enact legislation regarding these procedures, the arguments almost have to be biological ones and not just spiritual ones in order for them to be made into laws.
Anyway, you have a pretty cool blog here.
Kevin Miller
Kevin,
Thanks for the comments. I know the culture we live in, and the nature of jurisprudence, almost demands adherence to a materialistic standard. However, behind that there must be a spiritual compass. If that is missing, then we will be willing to try anything.
Thanks again for your interaction. "Iron sharpens iron."
Bob Fuller
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