Stem Cell Research

I keep hearing, by the media and others, that stem cell research is a good thing and that it will help us advance in medicine. While I tend to agree with the research itself and agree with the amazing potential and goodness that can come out of it, I find myself disagreeing ethically with the procedures. By doing research on embryonic stem cells scientists are killing embryos, and every time I hear about it one word coming to mind:

GENOCIDE

The majority of people in this world today claim that the embryo is not "alive" and so is not a human being. My question is, what is a human being? Scientifically a human is a being that is capable of thought and complex speech, a being that stands erect and is able to use tools. Well, according to science, babies aren't humans! Babies, to our knowledge, don't have complex thought processes, aren't capable of speech, do not stand erect and are unable to use tools. Yet nobody would argue that a baby is not a human. The baby is merely a human in its early stage, on its way to becoming a thinking, talking, walking person. The baby or human, even in its early stages, is an individual, a unique person waiting to grow. But what makes a person truly unique? What makes me who I am and not somebody else? My DNA. DNA will determine if we will be tall or short, have brown eyes or blue eyes, left handed or right handed, if we are smart or stupid, if we are predisposed to be happy or manic depressive - in short DNA makes us who we are, it gives us our individuality (on a scientific level). Fully functional DNA is produced when two gametes combine, in the womb, to create a zygote. When this zygote starts multiplying it becomes an embryo. The DNA in this embryo has already predisposed who this baby is going to become and what he or she will look like. How can we not view this embryo as a human being? And, if we agree that this embryo is a human being, merely in its beginning stages, then how can we accept the killing of it in the name of science? Hitler's scientists performed experiments on Jews in the name of science. They tortured Jews in the name of medical advancement. We cry "OUTRAGE", which it is, but why can't we accept the same for these unborn babies? These future adults (there might even be an Einstein or two amongst those embryos) should have a right to live, a right to use those legs and lungs that those very same stem cells are preparing to knit together.

Stem cell research in itself is not bad. The potential to what can be achieved is virtually limitless:

“Stem cells are the building blocks of blood and the immune system, as well as all tissues in the body. Amazingly, these cells can replenish themselves and transform into other cell types including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This enables them to replace other cells in the body that are abnormal, weakened, or destroyed by disease. Stem cell transplants have been used to treat patients with more than 80 diseases to date, including aplastic anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell disease.” *

What scientists are not readily telling us is that stem cells are found in other places than embryos, for example in bone marrow and even in umbilical cords and placentas:

“Cord blood, the blood that's left in the umbilical cord after a baby is born, is rich in stem cells. Umbilical cord blood stem cells have the ability to multiply and form different kinds of cells. The cord blood stem cells may be used for blood formation, much like the stem cells taken from bone marrow. These cord blood stem cells are typically discarded with the umbilical cord and placenta after birth, yet they can be used in lifesaving therapies. Cord blood stem cells have been used for transplants in patients with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia or immune system disorders.” *

“Cord blood and placental stem cell use will likely increase in the future as new developments occur in medical research. Current research in the field of transplant and stem cell therapy includes a focus on Parkinson's disease, stroke, diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), spinal cord injuries, and cardiac repair. Thanks to the use of placenta stem cells and those found in cord blood, lifesaving treatments for these
conditions may be within reach." *

Let us say “yes” to cord blood and placental stem cell research but “no” to embryonic stem cell research. Since there are other places where stem cells can be found let us tap into those resources and spare the babies. Let us stop this genocide.

(* to view the articles where these quotes were taken from please click here.)