What would God say about Stem Cell Research?
It’s hard to approach any controversial topic as a Christian, but it is especially hard when the topic is so unique to 21st century science that it would have been impossible for the Bible to specifically address it.
It’s easy to take a stand for or against issues that are clearly white or black, but what about those issues that are very, very gray?
The topic of stem cell research has been a popular point of debate over recent months due to the recent decision of Barack Obama to remove the ban prohibiting stem cell research using embryonic stem cells.
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the term, stem cells are cells that can be found in body tissue such as bone marrow and also in embryos.
These cells have the unique capability of differentiating into various specialized cell types. For example, if a person’s body is infected with bacteria and in need of additional neutrophils (bacteria fighting cells), stem cells can be called upon to form additional neutrophil cells. These same stem cells could also differentiate into eosinophils (allergy and parasite fighting cells). Some cells, like those found in embryonic tissue, can even differentiate into cells specific for a certain organ of the body. These cells can be reproduced in-vitro (outside of the body) and transfused into patients who are deficient in specific cell lines. Research like this could lead to many medical breakthroughs and offer treatment for various diseases in the future, hence the urgency in the medical and scientific communities to pursue all avenues of research.
But how are we as Christians supposed to know whether God would be for or against such research.
It is easy to respond to the idea of stem cell research by sheer emotional reflex, especially when it involves human embryos.
Due to the strong and legitimate belief that God values life above all else, including the lives of the unborn, most Christ followers are adamantly fighting the trend towards pro-choice rights.
As with all gray areas, this issue is inherently complex and outside the defined moral conduct mandates found throughout the Bible. Surely God does have an opinion on stem cell research, and we as Christians should seek to understand that opinion.
For instance, how could we dare to look someone in the eye – someone who is watching a loved one sick and dying- and condemn the only research that may offer hope?
How could we verbalize our strong moral opposition, and then ourselves seek to benefit from reproductive technology such as in-vitro fertilization in order to afford ourselves the right to bear children?
We simultaneously benefit from modern science while appeasing our own wants and needs.
If we address the issue of embryonic stem cell research as being undoubtedly against the heart of God due to the fact that an embryo is being used for any other reason than to create life, then we must also take the same stance against in-vitro fertilization technology in the sense that multiple embryos are created and frozen and subsequently discarded if not needed.
We as Christians must bear the responsibility of sincerely evaluating our political agendas and views and then ensuring that, whatever they may be, they all align with one fundamental truth.
What we cannot afford to do is openly rebuke a respective technology that does not stand to benefit us or our loved ones while simultaneously turning a blind eye to similar technology that we employ ourselves to meet our own desires and needs.
As we continue to be presented with new gray areas in the years ahead we must at our very core be a people who are educated and who courageously defend the heart of God.
However, we must also be an honest people who in our own vulnerability and need are still able to deny ourselves the things that would contradict the heart of the God we serve and depend on and trust the only one who can truly meet the desires of our hearts.
Psalm 145:15-17 (New International Version)
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
Jennifer Newton Martin is a Microbiologist and freelance writer in Richmond, VA who attends Commonwealth Chapel and can write a novel but not a one-liner.
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