Stem Cell Research

By Peter Merz

Stem cell research is a touchy and controversial subject for many people. It calls into question our very ethics and morality in an ever-advancing society (see Daniel 12:4). And how do those who hold to a Christian Worldview find any sort of consensus on this somewhat volatile issue? Is there a line in the sand we can draw and say without hint or trace of ambiguity, "We will not cross over this line"?

First a little bit of housekeeping before delving into the ethics and morality of the stem cell research issue. What is a stem cell? Stem cells are found in most, if not all, multi-cellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic (Mitosis is the process by which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus into two identical sets in two daughter nuclei) cell division and differentiating into a diverse range of specialized cell types (see "Cytological Demonstration of the Clonal Nature of Spleen Colonies Derived from Transplanted Mouse Marrow Cells" by A. J. BECKER E. A. McCULLOCH & J. E. TILL, Nature 197: 452 – 454, 1963 and also "The Distrubution of Colony-Forming Cells Among Spleen Colonies" by L. Siminovitch and J. E. Till, Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology 62: 327–36).

Let's be clear the issue is not stem cells in and of themselves, but with how the research of these stem cells is handled or carried out. Research in the stem cell field grew out of the findings by two Canadian scientists (Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till) in the 1960's. The two broad types of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells that are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts (The blastocyst is a structure formed in the early embryogenesis of mammals, after the formation of the morula, but before implantation. It possesses an inner cell mass (ICM), or embryoblast, which subsequently forms the embryo, and an outer layer of cells, or trophoblast, which later forms the placenta), and adult stem cells that are found in adult tissues.

The controversy is over embryonic stem cell research and not the latter adult stem cell research. Time and space does not allow me to get into the all of the specifics and potential ramifications, but needless to say there are scientists who believe that breakthroughs in medical science can be made through the use of these stem cells – breakthroughs that may offer substantial cures or relief for diseases such as Parkinson's and other degenerative maladies.

So we have two major trains of thought on this subject. One train of thought argues that the benefits outweigh the ethical and moral issues of destroying embryos so that they may save many lives or at least provide therapeutic and necessitating medical procedures available to the community at large. Perhaps to phrase it another way it is good that one life be destroyed so that many may be saved (see John 11:49-50). The other train of thought argues that all life is precious and destroying embryos for the benefit of science is nothing more than murder that only offers those suffering from incurable degenerative diseases the hope of a someday maybe or someday perhaps apple-pie-in-the-sky type of cures and benefits. Simply put: the end does not justify the means.

So now that the sides are clearly drawn let's proceed into the heart of the matter and see what the Bible has to offer us counsel on this oftentimes contentious matter. Murder outside of war or criminal punishment is always considered wrong and a sin in the eyes of God.

"Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is Abel your brother?' And he said, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?' He said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth'" (Genesis 4:9-12 NASB).

"Whoever sheds man's blood,

By man his blood shall be shed,

For in the image of God

He made man" (Genesis 9:6 NASB).

"You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13 NASB).

"He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death" (Exodus 21:12 NASB).

"If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death" (Leviticus 24:17 NASB).

"If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death" (Numbers 35:30 NASB).

"Cursed is he who strikes his neighbor in secret. And all the people shall say, 'Amen' (Deuteronomy 27:24 NASB).

"For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous" (1 John 3:11-12 NASB).

"For He who said, 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,' also said, 'DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.' Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law" (James 2:11 NASB).

Okay so no matter how you try to twist, shape, and contort it. The Bible is not going to condone unjustified homicide. As with abortion the murder of embryos (whether frozen or unfrozen) is not compatible with an authentic Biblical Worldview. Sacrificing life at the altar of 'scientific research' is not acceptable, and it is not a gray issue where we whistle "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide". Murder is murder, capiche?

Okay now all that being said. I do not see moral or ethical problems arising from the further and study and research of stem cells from adult stem cells and from cells don't are not from the result of the loss of embryonic life (i.e. umbilical cords, placenta, and the like). I believe there is a way to come to a consensus of morality while also finding ways and means to advance the cause of science that provides breakthroughs and cures that benefit humankind.