February 09, 2005
Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Value of Life
I wanted to point out this excellent article in the New Atlantis which explains why embryos are humans using various philosophical arguments. It's an indepth piece, but as part of the culture of Life, we should know the arguments. One interesting quote:
Sandel’s claim that human embryos are not human beings, or not “full human beings,” or merely “potential human life,” simply cannot be squared with the facts of human embryogenesis and developmental biology. Briefly, modern embryology shows the following: (1) The embryo is from the start distinct from any cell of the mother or the father, for it is growing in its own distinct direction and its growth is internally directed to its own survival and maturation. (2) The embryo is human, since it has the genetic constitution and epigenetic primordia characteristic of human beings. (3) Most importantly, the embryo is a complete or whole organism, though immature. From conception onward, the human embryo is fully programmed, and has the active disposition, to develop himself or herself to the next mature stage of a human being. And unless prevented by disease, violence, or a hostile environment, the embryo will actually do so, despite possibly significant variation in its circumstances (i.e., in the mother’s womb). None of the changes that occur to the embryo after fertilization, for as long as he or she survives, generates a new direction of growth. Rather, all of the changes (for example those involving nutrition and environment) either facilitate or retard the internally directed growth of this persisting individual.
The entire article is very good and provides a strong basis for beginning the discussion of embryonic stem cell research. Hat tip to A Saintly Salmagundi.
God bless,
Jay
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how about we let women choose if they want abortions or not and if they abort use the embero for reaserch or healing. you people will probaly hate me for this but im accepting of new ideas.
Posted by: Guest at February 24, 2005 08:46 PMGuest,
The point is that it is immoral to kill a child in order to heal someone else. Think about it this way: are you willing to let others kill you so that they *might* live a little longer? (Remember, embryonic stem cells have never created a cure or medicine for anything). If you wouldn't be willing, how can you force a child to do so?
God bless,
Jay
