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An enormous ethical crisis is brewing in the United States over stem cell research. It is one for which genuine biblical Christianity should be both informed and concerned. Recently, President Obama lifted the ban on federal funding using embryonic stem cells. That ban, established by President Bush on 9 August 2001, restricted federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. It did permit such research but using only stem cell lines in existence at the time of Bush’s ban. With that ban now lifted, the ethical dimensions of the practice of killing human embryos to acquire stem cells is once again on the front burner.
In this Perspective, I want to contrast the ethical implications of using both adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. I am on the Advisory Board of the Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research (NCER), an outstanding organization in my state promoting careful and well-reasoned ethical consideration of a host of important medical procedures. It is an honor to serve this organization. NCER recently published a series of position papers on several important medical procedures or technologies. I am drawing on these papers as we consider the ethical implications of these two sources for stem cells.
1. The Ethical Implications of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: NCER makes the case that human embryonic stem cell research (hESC) is immoral and must be banned because it violates the life, dignity, and rights of human beings. Here is why.
- Every human being has a right to life
The harvesting of human embryonic stem cells deliberately destroys embryonic human beings.
- Every human being has a right to be protected from discrimination
Human embryonic stem cell research discriminates against human embryos on the basis of developmental immaturity.
- Every human being is an end to be loved, not a means to be used for another’s end
Human embryonic stem cell research treats the embryonic human being as an object to be valued for its parts. To categorize so-called spare embryos as “having no future” or as “going to be destroyed anyway” is to rationalize the destruction of one human being to possibly benefit the health of another.
- Every human being is of equal value to every other human being
Human embryonic stem cell research treats the embryonic human being as less valuable than a fetus, a neonate, or an adult.
- Research involving human subjects requires that proxy or presumed consent can be given only if the research does not harm the subject
Human embryonic stem cell research is, by its very nature, destructive. Therefore, proxy or presumed consent for such research is not ethically valid.
- The goal of research involving human subjects is to serve humanity by curing disease and relieving suffering
Human embryonic stem cell research destroys, rather than heals, the human embryos involved. Any therapies developed from human embryonic stem cells are ill-gotten gains because the benefit to some human beings requires the death of other human beings.
- The rules of ethical human research demand that scientists pursue the least morally controversial of available options when these prove to be equally beneficial
Most of the goals of human embryonic stem cell research can be obtained through the use of non-embryonic stem cells, without any destruction of human life.
- Failure to protect embryonic and fetal human life, the most vulnerable of human beings, erodes the moral fiber of our society
Human embryonic stem cell research does not accord embryonic human beings the protection that is their due as human subjects of research. An assault against any innocent human being is an assault on humanity in general. Since respect for human life is a cornerstone of civilization, human embryonic stem cell research will weaken the moral foundation of our society.
2. The Ethical Implications of Adult Stem Cell Research: NCER argues that human adult stem cell research (hASC) is moral and should be supported because it does not violate the life, dignity, and rights of human beings if done in the proper context and with informed consent. Here is why.
- Every human being has a right to life
Use of hASCs preserves life, whereas the harvesting of hESCs deliberately destroys human life at the embryonic stage of development.
- Every human being has a right to be protected from discrimination
Since hESC research destroys a living human embryo, this research discriminates against human beings on the basis of developmental immaturity.
- Every human being is an end to be loved, not a means to be used for someone else’s end
Human ASC research allows a person to participate in scientific research to help find treatments for disease. With proper informed consent, one may donate hASC for his/her own benefit or the benefit of society. Human ESC research treats the embryonic human being as an object to be valued for its parts. To categorize so-called spare embryos as “having no future” or as “going to be destroyed anyway” is to rationalize the destruction of one human being as a possible benefit for the health of another.
- Every human being is of equal value to every other human being
Human ASC research does not place one person’s life above that of another. Human ESC research treats the embryonic human being as less valuable than a fetus, a newborn, or an adult.
- Human subject research requires that proxy or presumed consent can be given only if the research does not harm the subject
Valid consent may be obtained for hASC research because the subject is not harmed. Human ESC research is, by its very nature, destructive. Therefore, proxy or presumed consent for such research is not ethically valid.
- The goal of human subject research is to serve humanity by curing disease and relieving suffering
Because someone who donates ASCs is not harmed in an attempt to help others who are sick and suffering, hASC research realizes the fundamental goals of medicine and medical research in a non-destructive way. On the other hand, harvesting hESC destroys, rather than heals, the human embryos involved. Any therapies developed from hESC’s are ill-gotten gains because the benefit to some human beings who are sick requires the death of other human beings.
- The rules of ethical research demand that researchers pursue the least morally controversial of available options when these prove to be equally beneficial
Most of the goals of destructive hESC research can be obtained through the use of non-embryonic stem cells, without any destruction of human life. Therefore, the use of hASCs for research and therapies should be pursued.
- Failure to protect embryonic and fetal human life, the most vulnerable of human beings, erodes the moral fiber of society
The use of hASCs can save human life and strengthen society without the negative effects on the individual and society that are inherent in the use of hESCs. Human ESC research does not accord embryonic human beings the protection that is their due as human subjects of research. An assault against any innocent human being is an assault on humanity in general. Since respect for human life is a cornerstone of our civilization, hESC research will weaken the moral foundation of our society.
See “Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Position Paper,” and “Human Adult Stem Cell Research Position Paper,” both published by the Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research (17330 West Center Road, Suite 110, Omaha, NE 68130).
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