David invited me a couple of weeks ago to comment on stem cell research from a bioethical point of view. So, belatedly...
My approach to ethical issues is relational, based in part on my view of God in relation to human beings. "Playing God" has nothing to do with scientists searching for knowledge about healing processes, which is what stem cell research is all about. I do not believe that using parts of very immature embryos to enable the research is truly destroying meaningful human life. The products of that research have immense healing potential.
I do have a concern about using that technology to clone human beings (that is, allowing those embryos to produce babies). My concern is that we have some evidence from cloning other mammals that the clones may be deformed and/or dysfunctional. I believe we have no right to subject human beings to that possibility.
Being afraid to "play God" is to fall back into a very old heresy, whose modern expression is Christian Science, which, as the old saw says, is neither Christian nor scientific. Ie.--any and all medical interventions into the mysterious workings of God are not permitted, since such interventions are acts of defiance of the will of God. All we have to do is be moral and good enough and ill health will not befall us! LOL!
Fertilized embryos are routinely discarded into the medical trash bin in the aftermath of in vitro fertilization procedures. A head of the pin siezed glob of cells is not a human being, for Christ's sake! What a moronic and futile non-debate!
