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As the debate unfolds, the public has been treated
to a rare glimpse of some of the ethical and moral
decision-making that occurs behind the doors of
America's cutting-edge laboratories. What we are
finding out is that scientists live their
lives--and change ours--according to a completely
separate moral code than the rest of us. Their
obligation is to the research--exploring every
path that can be taken, regardless of the cost.
Whether the road leads to failure or even death is
inconsequential. The quest is really for
knowledge, with achievement being secondary. That
said, it is easy to see why scientists are
single-mindedly pursuing taxpayer support of their
latest endeavor, embryonic stem cell research. To
the scientists, the research is simply a new
frontier that must be conquered.
The worldwide implications of what information we
already have about stem cells are tremendous.
These 'building blocks of life' can be prodded and
manipulated to renew all kinds of human cells,
such as heart, brain, and skin tissue. The
researchers are promising almost magical cures to
some of the world's most dreaded diseases, such as
Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and some types of
cancer if they are able to continue their study.
So what is all the controversy about? Stem cells
cannot be harvested from human embryos without
totally destroying the embryo itself. An embryo,
for those unfamiliar with the term, is a human
being at the earliest stage of life. An embryo is
not an egg, and it is not a 'clump of cells.' It
is the product of the union between egg and sperm,
otherwise known as 'conception.' An embryo is a
baby.
This sacrifice of human life in the name of
medicine has rightfully offended many, but there
are some who attempt to justify the cost. These
supporters of embryonic stem cell research have
subjected the public to a maddening display of
selfishness in past weeks, culminating with a
disgusting and exploitative parade of very young
'supporters.'
For the past three days, parents of adorable
children afflicted with horrible diseases have
pushed these little ones (some as young as eight)
in front of the news cameras to beg for the cures
that they say can only come from embryonic stem
cell research. The children's eloquence on the
issue is alarming, as is their adherence to the
party line. These mere babes are far too young to
understand the moral question involved in this
debate; they only know what their
well-meaning-but-selfish parents have told them.
To put these kids on camera in all their innocent
and disarming splendor to parrot their parents'
ideas is reprehensible. They are far too young for
such responsibility, as they cannot handle the
consequences of their words. What will happen when
a member of the very vocal opposition tells an
eight-year-old point blank that he is a
cold-blooded murderer because of his beliefs? No
young child should be forced to publicly defend a
value system that he doesn't yet understand.
Congress is currently debating legislation that
would permit federal funding of embryonic stem
cell research, but the veto pen and the final
decision rest with President Bush. The general
consensus seems to be that the President is
'damned if he does and damned if he doesn't'
permit federal funding of the research, but the
man campaigned and was elected on a platform that
included opposition to federal funding of any
procedure that destroys human life--including
embryonic stem cell research.
Breaking his promise now will very politically
destructive, as it will anger his base without
gaining him any new ground with more liberal
voters.
President Bush must keep his commitment to his
smallest constituents, those without a voice or a
vote. He ought to follow the example of Rep. Chris
Smith (R-NJ), who has been very outspoken in his
opposition to this research and has introduced
legislation in the House to require that stem
cells used in research only be obtained from
life-friendly sources such as umbilical cord blood
and adult humans (who are not killed during this
procedure). Representative Smith is truly serving
the interests of all of his constituents, even the
ones who have no political value to him. Embryos
cannot speak, vote, or give money to Smith's
re-election campaign, but Smith tirelessly fights
for their rights because it is the moral thing to
do. President Bush would be wise to do the same.
© 2001 Kirsten Andersen
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