“What’s the Fuss about Stem Cell Research?”
Ps.139:1-6,13-16 Jan.28, 2007 Play
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Big Stakes, Big Questions
○ stem cell research hot topic in US election
○ IVF clinics popular, but ‘spare’ embryo
conundrum
God’s Embrace of Embryos
○ God knows us intimately, relationally
(1-6; Gen 4:1,17, 25)
○ the Lord’s Care in our Conception: knit us
together in the womb (13-16; Lk 1:41,44)
○ the Delicacy of God’s Design: wonderfully
made (14)
○ complicated process; detrimental effects of
tinkering
○ our Purpose as God’s Person: days ordained
for us before started (16; Jer 1:5)
Principled or Pragmatic?
○ EFC principles - inherent dignity &
worth from conception to natural death
○ ethics analysis based on principles vs.
utilitarian approach
○ moral status NOT irrelevant even if embryos
“to be thrown in the garbage”
Brave (& Risky) New World
○ newspaper reports of disturbing practices,
despite moratorium / legislation
○ pressure mounting to create embryos
specifically for destructive research
○ danger of vast negative consequences;
exploitation of the vulnerable
Do Unto Others...
○ same logic for discarding embryos could be
applied to others / us
○ do to others as we’d have them do to us (Lk
6:31)