How would you respond to this re: embryonic stem cell research?

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MaryB23

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I’m currently in a debate on another message board about embryonic stem cell research. One woman on there has a child with a kidney disease and her doctor has told her the best chance of a cure is with embryonic stem cells. I keep arguing that embryos deserve the dignity given to all humans and she replied by saying

“Then I am going to say that [my son] should be treated as the human he is. Denying him the only treatment to save his life (human life that it is) is cruel and not respectful of his life.”

I’m at a loss as to how to reply to this. It doesn’t help that she thinks I don’t “get it” because my children are (thanks be to God) healthy. I’m afraid anything I say will seem cold and unfeeling. Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
I hate moral dilemmas.

I would say that embryos and the lady’s son are on the same level, as we all are. All are living organisms, all have the potential for future life. This potential can be eradicated at any moment God pleases, or we can live to a hundred. So we and the embryos are at the same level of life: future potential.

Would this lady kill her son to save another child with kidney disease? It amounts to the same thing. But somewhere the idea has become fixed in our society that an embryo is not a person and is not human. Wrong.

I think that killing an embryo is wrong no matter what good may come of it. The ends do not justify the means.
 
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The_Angelus:
Would this lady kill her son to save another child with kidney disease? It amounts to the same thing.
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I totally agree. By “using” one person in order for another to be healthy or cured of a disease is saying, in essence, that one person is more important than another. Not what God says.
 
You could say - “it’s using your power over the powerless”
 
One thing that bothers me is that she says she’s pro-life because she’s against abortion.

I hate it when I can’t fully express what I’m thinking. It makes sense in my own head, but when I try to talk about it (or write about it) it doesn’t come out right. 😦

I think I’ll say a prayer to the Holy Spirit and hopefully He will guide my response. 🙂
 
Do you all think this lady’s son is on the same level as the frozen clump of cells in the IVF clinic’s freezer that’s going to get discarded anyway?
 
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norbert:
Do you all think this lady’s son is on the same level as the frozen clump of cells in the IVF clinic’s freezer that’s going to get discarded anyway?
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YES!!! And before you give me an attitude, remember that I have a child that is being worked up for an autism disorder, so I know about having a disabled child! Just because it’s not the same as this other lady’s son’s disability doesn’t mean that I don’t understand. Using another person for your gain is wrong!

Doesn’t make a difference that it’s going to be discarded down the drain. Two wrongs don’t make a right. You teach your kids that, don’t you?
 
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norbert:
Do you all think this lady’s son is on the same level as the frozen clump of cells in the IVF clinic’s freezer that’s going to get discarded anyway?
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This is exactly the argument I’ve been up against.

I’m guessing you don’t think a new human being is created at conception?
 
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MaryB23:
I’m currently in a debate on another message board about embryonic stem cell research. One woman on there has a child with a kidney disease and her doctor has told her the best chance of a cure is with embryonic stem cells.
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Considering ESC haven’t even been approved for first stage clinical trials in humans for any disease, her doctor might be better off recommending treatment plans that actually exist.

– Mark L. Chance.
 
Well, I responded by saying that one could also say it’s cruel and disrespectful not to kill my child to save hers. I asked if she would kill her child to save another person with kidney disease, perhaps someone on the brink of bringing about world peace. After all, that person’s potential seems more important than a sick little boy.

That was an absurd and insulting question, apparently.

Then I was told that my beliefs were insulting to most of the people posting. Earlier I had mentioned that I was against IVF and a person who had gone through it to have her twins said she would hate to think it was a “wrong” thing to do and again, I was being insulting to voice my beliefs.

The world is full of disillusioned people. 😦
 
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MaryB23:
Well, I responded by saying that one could also say it’s cruel and disrespectful not to kill my child to save hers. I asked if she would kill her child to save another person with kidney disease, perhaps someone on the brink of bringing about world peace. After all, that person’s potential seems more important than a sick little boy.

That was an absurd and insulting question, apparently.

Then I was told that my beliefs were insulting to most of the people posting. Earlier I had mentioned that I was against IVF and a person who had gone through it to have her twins said she would hate to think it was a “wrong” thing to do and again, I was being insulting to voice my beliefs.

The world is full of disillusioned people. 😦
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Why is it that you are insulting to voice your beliefs but they are not insulting when they do the EXACT SAME THING!!! :hmmm:
 
Momofone:
Why is it that you are insulting to voice your beliefs but they are not insulting when they do the EXACT SAME THING!!! :hmmm:
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Probably because my beliefs aren’t politically correct enough or tolerant enough. I have the nerve to believe strongly in something. :rolleyes: 😉
 
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mlchance:
Considering ESC haven’t even been approved for first stage clinical trials in humans for any disease, her doctor might be better off recommending treatment plans that actually exist.

– Mark L. Chance.
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Right on. Also, does the doctor have any rationale for recommending embryonic stem-cells versus others that don’t involve human destruction? The fact is the chant of embryonic stem-cells has become the modern equivalent of “let’s throw virgins down a well so we will get good crops.”

Scott
 
Thanks everyone. I had already given quite a bit of information that the embryonic stem cell information is mainly theoretical and hypothetical whereas adult stem cell research has had actual positive results. The problem is that many of them don’t think that life begins at conception. One person even put words into my mouth by saying I was calling her a murderess since she passes an egg every month but it may not get fertilized. :rolleyes:
 
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MaryB23:
I’m currently in a debate on another message board about embryonic stem cell research. One woman on there has a child with a kidney disease and her doctor has told her the best chance of a cure is with embryonic stem cells. I keep arguing that embryos deserve the dignity given to all humans and she replied by saying

“Then I am going to say that [my son] should be treated as the human he is. Denying him the only treatment to save his life (human life that it is) is cruel and not respectful of his life.”

I’m at a loss as to how to reply to this. It doesn’t help that she thinks I don’t “get it” because my children are (thanks be to God) healthy. I’m afraid anything I say will seem cold and unfeeling. Any ideas?

Thanks!
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It is the doctor that does not get it. Murder for life is murder. As it is, more good comes from adult stem cells. The only reason that they are pushing for embryonic is for profit. As it is, the embryionic stem stems leads to cancer. Study. The doctor is not well learned and is listening to the rant of the press. The same press that does not suppport life (abortion) or death with dignity (Terri Schavo).
 
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MaryB23:
Well, I responded by saying that one could also say it’s cruel and disrespectful not to kill my child to save hers…Earlier I had mentioned that I was against IVF and a person who had gone through it to have her twins said she would hate to think it was a “wrong” thing to do and again, I was being insulting to voice my beliefs.
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If the person who went through IVF is supporting embryonic stem cell research, then that person is literally willing to kill her own for a mere theoretical possiblility. If she thinks your beliefs are insulting, what does she think of her own?

It is sad that the doctor held out hope to this other mom for a cure from such a morally reprehensible source. My mom died from a disease that some say embryonic stems cell might cure. Even if such a cure was available, my mom would never have wanted a small baby killed so she could live.

If these people don’t think IVF “leftovers” are human babies, what were trying to create when they entered the clinic in the first place?
 
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gardenswithkids:
If the person who went through IVF is supporting embryonic stem cell research, then that person is literally willing to kill her own for a mere theoretical possiblility. If she thinks your beliefs are insulting, what does she think of her own?

It is sad that the doctor held out hope to this other mom for a cure from such a morally reprehensible source. My mom died from a disease that some say embryonic stems cell might cure. Even if such a cure was available, my mom would never have wanted a small baby killed so she could live.

If these people don’t think IVF “leftovers” are human babies, what were trying to create when they entered the clinic in the first place?
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The person who went through IVF was trying to figure out where she stood on embryonic stem cell research. She has come to the conclusion that it is OK since there are so many frozen embryos out there that will just “be destroyed anyway”. 😦

I also pointed out that my husband and I have decided that we wouldn’t utilize any therapy that was brought about by embryonic stem cell research even if our kids came down with some horrid disease. I was told that that was all well and good, but I had no business saying someone else shouldn’t benefit from embryonic stem cell research just because I’m against it. Ah, relativism. 😦
 
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