June 22, 2005
Volume 3: Issue 6
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with Dr. Richard Land, Senior
Lecturer for SLU 201
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Statement by Dr.
Richard Land, President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Stem Cell Technology: The
Issue
While medical technology has
made incredible advances in the past 100 years that have changed the
human race forever, stem cell research promises to dwarf all of that
progress in comparison. Because stem cells have the ability to become
different kinds of human cells, scientists may be able to manipulate them
and implant them into people to heal the effects of debilitating diseases
or catastrophic accidents. In the not-too-distant future, scientists may
be able to use stem cells, for instance, in Christopher Reeves' back,
where they will regenerate spinal tissue, and he'll get up out of his
wheelchair and walk. They will probably be able to implant programmed
stem cells into a severely damaged heart, and make a sick, dying heart
healthy again.
Our concern is not about
stem cells, or their incredible promise to relieve human suffering, or the
use of federal funds to further the study of stem cell therapy. We should
do all we can to bring healing to people. Stem cells are one of God's
amazing biological gifts that may someday help bring healing to people who
until just recently were thought to have no hope of ever finding relief
from their maladies. We applaud and encourage the efforts of the
scientific community in their quest to improve our lives and to rescue the
sick, diseased, and dying among us. We believe the use of public funds
for appropriate stem cell research will help to advance the moral search
for healing, which will in turn bury those who insist on immoral stem cell
technologies under an avalanche of discovery and application that will
discourage the use of private funds for objectionable research.
The issue at this time is
the price we are willing to pay in order to obtain these incredibly
powerful stem cells. The debate today is whether or not scientists should
be allowed to destroy human embryos in order to obtain stem cells. We
believe the destruction of one human being (especially without that
person's consent) for the benefit of another is morally reprehensible. To
argue that one human being is more developed and therefore in greater need
in no way justifies the cannibalizing of another to benefit him.
Furthermore, it is not
necessary to kill human embryos in order to obtain stem cells. Stem cells
have been found in many other sources.
This fact sheet seeks to make the issue clear and provide some basic
information so that you can see for yourself just what is at stake in the
stem cell debate. We are confident that you will agree that stem cell
research is good, but that killing human embryos to conduct this research
or to heal human beings is neither necessary not moral.
A Pro-Life
Alternative to the Destruction of Frozen Embryos for Stem Cell Research
A California adoption agency
has found a solution to the problem of what to do with thousands of frozen
embryos left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF). Nightlight Christian
Adoption Agency has started a project called Snowflake Embryo Adoption
Program that acts as a clearinghouse for couples wanting to adopt and
those who have embryos left from IVF. Nightlight has matched 70 genetic
families with 48 adopting families as of July 2002. To date Sixteen babies
have been born, and three adopting families are currently expecting four
babies. As of Spring 2002, we had 748 embryos in the SNOWFLAKES program,
314 of which had not been matched with adopting families.
"Snowflakes Frequently Asked
Questions,"
www.snowflakes.org
<http://www.snowflakes.org>
(updated May 5, 2003)
Testimony before Congress by Ken
Conner concerning children born from embryos put up for adoption:
"Mark and Luke Borden are nine-month old twin brothers. Hannah Strege is
28-months old. These children all share one thing in common - their lives
began in a petri dish. Following conception, they were frozen and stored
at a fertility clinic. But happily, unlike the fate of thousands of other
frozen embryonic humans, Mark, Luke and Hannah were adopted while still in
their frozen embryonic stage and implanted in the wombs of the mothers
they know today.
"Their story points to a very important fact - human embryos are not
merely potential human beings. Rather, they are human beings with
potential. Their existence bespeaks that they are not something else as
well: they are NOT mere property. The human embryo is a who, not a what.
To characterize frozen embryos as mere "frozen excess" as did Thomas
Okarma, President of Geron Inc. (a company that buys frozen embryos and
cracks them open to obtain the stem cells) is to deny the reality of what
is at stake and to deceive the American people into affirming a commercial
enterprise that is built on cannibalizing the parts of those who are most
assuredly the least among us. To discuss the ethics of stem cell research
involving human embryos and the multitude of alternative, non-embryonic
sources of such cells as if the distinction between human life and
property can be ignored is to avoid completely the central issue.
Living Proof Press Conference, July
16, 2001,
www.frc.org
<http://www.frc.org>
What You Can Do
Right Now
1. Contact your Senator and Representative and urge them to pass
legislation banning the use of embryos for stem cell research. Come to
www.erlc.com to find out who your elected representatives are.
2. Consider adopting a frozen embryo.
3. Pray that God will give wisdom to those who will make these important
decisions. |
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Science and faith.
Conservative and liberal. Republican and Democrat. These all seem to be
conflicting terms with conflicting views that end up often translating
into hostility, hatred, and non-understanding. In dealing with the case of
stem-cell research, the case is no different, as people on all sides of
the argument fight dogmatically for what they believe - one side lifting
up the tremendous improvement in the care and quality of life such
research and practice could bring for those already living in the world,
the other side raising the importance of the sanctity of life and
protecting the lives of those yet unborn.
This month's EDGE
Articles contains many thought-provoking items worthy for your careful
consideration. The sanctity of life and how unborn children are treated
bears utmost significance, but what is the role of science in the modern
world for the modern Christian? Are there limits? Can those limits be
overstepped, and if so, what is that point?
I invite and
encourage you to read and reflect this month on an issue that is an
important one for Christians to wrestle and deal with, as well as to take
leadership on. By being informed of these key issues, you can be
effectively equipped and prepared to respond and rise to leadership. |
featuring Justin Stephens
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SLU 101 was great. I learned lots of
material in the short time span. Almost every day I use my
notebook to help me with something that's happening in my
life. One of my classmates is coming to 101 because she read
my notebook and found the information very valuable. My
favorite part of the conference was the apologetics session.
I've taken apologetic classes at school, but they were very
hard to understand. The SLU apologetics information was easy
to comprehend and straight to the point. I use my notes in
class to help me with papers and to help me with countering
arguments against the Christian faith. At the conclusion of
101, I was already looking forward to go to D.C. for 201.
From what I've read and heard, 201
is more intense and involved than 101, and there's more
expected from the students. Nevertheless, sacrifices have to
be made if I want to be a leader. Since there's more expected
of the students, I'm expecting just as much from 201.
Obviously if this is the next step in SLU it should be head
and shoulders over 101. My prime objective is to get as much
as I can out of this experience and be the best leader that
God wants me to be. I know that in order to do that, I have to
make the most of out the information that is given at the
conference.
I am anticipating that Washington D.C. will be a fun place to
visit with SLU. I went to D.C. earlier last year with my
school, and I enjoyed it, but I know that SLU really can make
history and places come alive! History is my favorite subject,
and I know that my hunger to learn more about history will
only grow as I attend SLU and see the historical sites, learn
important leadership lessons, and hear from the nation's top
leaders. I eagerly anticipate my experience at SLU 201, and I
can't wait to soar to the next level.
Justin Stephens is a
student who has completed SLU 101 in Orlando and is headed to
SLU 201 in DC this summer. He is one of our featured 201
Essay Winners for this year.
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Already, we are
well underway with another great summer season of SLU! Our
overseas trips for SLU 301 and 401 were a huge success, and
our wheels are already turning for these trips next year!
If you're not yet
registered for SLU 101 this year, don't miss out on an
opportunity to take part of SLU's greatest year of leadership
training! It's never too late to register! We are incredibly excited about
what we have lined up for you during the intense and fun
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it is an experience that you will not want to miss!
Register
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Check out Dr.
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Read about this incredible book that is a must for your
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more
info about the book! You can also find out how to place
an order for your own personal copy.
Don't forget that
most SLU information is available online through our website at
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continue hearing from you! Let us know how you've been putting
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To view past
editions of The Edge, check out our archive
here.
Questions or comments are always welcome. E-mail us at
edge@studentleadership.net |
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June 2005
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On the
Edge
This month Dr.
Richard Land, President of the Ethics and Religious
Liberty Commission, takes a closer look
at the issue of stem-cell research and why the ERLC
opposes its abuses. Also, Dr. Land outlines some
alternatives that protect the sanctity of human life. How should a Christian
respond to the issue of stem-cell use? Read this month's On the Edge to find out. |
Edge Ledge
Your section
for culture and Christianity takes a look at the
debate on stem-cell research, as well the importance
and the impact of being prepared to respond to the
challenges of our culture today. |
Life on the Edge
This month, read
about a student whose life was changed by attending SLU
101 and is headed to SLU 201 in DC this summer! Have an SLU story? Send it to us at
edge@studentleadership.net
This month, we feature the story of Justin Stephens.
Justin is one of our featured 201 Essay Award Winners.
Congratulations, Justin! |
Cutting Edge
What's up at SLU? Get the latest scoop on
what's happening here at Student Leadership University. |
Featured Articles
Check out the featured
articles of the month. By being
informed of these critical events, we can begin to shape
an effective response to culture. Stay informed by reading
this month's featured articles. |
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Follow the links for the
full article. |
Stem Cell
Research Ban
A
couple of political leaders have raised their objections
to a stem cell research ban, voicing the expressions of
many of their constituents...
Read full article |
Made to Order
Babies
The issue of gene-coding babies and growing babies
from stem cells to use for research as well as medical
progress has sparked controversial debate across the
country...
Read full article |
Advances in
Cloning
In the recent days, there has been substantial
progress made in the study and science of cloning. The
cutting edge research on cloning comes from Korea, where...
Read full article |
President
would veto bill
The
President stated that he would veto any bill that would
loosen federal restrictions on government funding for stem
cell research...
Read full article |
Ethics for
Research
Citing a lack of leadership from the government, a
group of scientists has drafted ethical guidelines for use
in stem cell research...
Read full article |
Koreans and
Stem Cell
Advances in Korean research on stem cell issues have
produced 11 custom made cloned stem cell lines, furthering
the existing debate over ethical issues...
Read full article |
Cloning for
Dollars
This article by Chuck Colson discusses the
implications of stem cell research and cloning, as well as
provides resources for further information and reading...
Read full article |
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"In
the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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"Opponents of
embryonic stem cell research are prolonging the suffering of
millions. Those who oppose this are an obstacle to hope for a
scientific breakthrough, a miracle."
Writer in the Baltimore Chronicle |
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"I'm
very concerned about cloning. I worry about a world in which
cloning becomes acceptable."
President George W. Bush |
"Science
without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."
Albert Einstein |
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“Talking
through tough social issues - such as cloning - as Lutherans, as
Christians, as church, means respectful, yet zealous dialogue
rooted in shared faith. God is active in all realms of life -
the scientific, the social, the political. God cares for
creation, orders society, seeks justice, and draws us out of our
individual lives to engage the world."
Margaret McLean
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“For
since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - his
eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being
understood from what has been made, so that all are without
excuse."
Romans 1:20
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We want to hear from you! Do you
have a thoughtful response to the articles here? Have you
written a paper on one of the issues we're discussing this month
or have discussed? Send it to us at
edge@studentleadership.net |
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Established in 1994, Student Leadership University's
purpose is to empower students to conquer the future!
Combining hands-on experimental learning with a dynamic
classroom setting, students are equipped to influence
their generation for Christ with confidence.
For more information, visit us at
www.studentleadership.net or call us toll-free at
888-260-2900.
Edge Executive Editor:
Chris Crowe
Edge Associate Editor:
Luke Lin
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