I have a genetic disease called galactosemia and have a deformed gene in my body. With this condition, my body will not seperate the lactose and succrose from any type of dairy product. The only thing I can do is avoid eating things that this particular gene would normally seperate. However, even after religiously staying on the diet, I still have several health related problems from this condition. If you are a religious person that feels stem cell treatment should be illegal because it "kills" the genes a fetus has, what do you think about Genesis 1:26 that says: "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground..."? If God meant for humans to rule over the earth then why would he be opposed to humans using stem cell research to cure medical diseases?
2006-07-09 11:06:58 · 12 answers · asked by osunumberonefan 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all, let me say that I sympathize with your plight. And, thank you for posing your question in a polite and civil manner.
There are three, possibly 4 red herrings in your question.
1. Even genetic conditions can sometimes have their symptoms treated by non-genetic means. Look at all the advances in medicine that have been made before genetic research even took off. There are still new innovations taking place outside of stem cell research. Let's not put all our eggs in one basket, shall we?
2. Stem cell research has two VERY IMPORTANT categories, and too many people (such as you, apparently, as you make no distinction) aren't clear on the difference. Embryonic stem cell research is the kind that destroys human life (more on that later.) Adult stem cell research involves harvesting stem cells from places like adult bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. The other important part of this distinction is that while embryonic stem cells are said to hold 'promise' for future treatments (while still presenting obstacles like excessive growth of tumors in lab animals,) adult stem cells are CURRENTLY and SUCCESSFULLY treating HUMANS (see link below.) So, other considerations aside for the moment, which should we be throwing more money at??
3. Your attempt to turn 'kills' into a euphemism is curious, and a bit misleading. In fact, the genes are what survive; what is killed (not a euphemism) is a fetus, which is a developing human being. Any genetic test you do on a fetus will return the result that you are talking about a genetic human being. Just like you were before you were born.
4. Your Genesis quote is, I guess, relevant if you continue to assert that a human fetus is, in fact, not human. I know of no Christians who would consider genetic research on animals inherently evil, as we do when it is on humans. However, since in the passage you quote, God is referring to 'man' in the collective, I think it is worth noting that man was specifically given dominion over everything except his fellow man. Once one reads more of the Bible, it becomes apparent that God reserved that power to Himself. In the Hebrew Law, He set aside specifically when a man had a right to take another man's life.
2006-07-09 11:38:37 · answer #1 · answered by M Huegerich 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Let me first say that whatever your religious beliefs, they should have no bearing on what our nations' laws can or should be. Ever hear of separation of church and state?
Secondly, while I sympathize with your problem, your condition does not dictate its' cure, medical research -ALL medicat research - does that.
Since this controversy arose several promising methods have been begun to be developed which would negate the need for stem cell research. I strongly hope these methods are at least as effective because I am VERY opposed to stem cell research as well as all genetic research simply because one never knows to what purpose this knowledge will later be put.
As far as banning, we can only control what goes on within our own borders so this question itself is mute. I'm sure someone, somewhere is doing this very thing.
2006-07-09 11:35:13 · answer #2 · answered by Kali K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, where in Genesis 1:26 does it say we rule over another human? This verse simply states that human are dominant, (brain power for lack of better words).
Umbilical cord blood has the same properties as stem cells. If more people would preserve their child's cord blood, stem cell research would NEVER have to include aborted fetus. Your Doctors must be Quacks. Read up on the latest cord blood research. It's a miracle.
2006-07-09 11:22:30 · answer #3 · answered by mslorikoch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hypocrisy of banning stem cell research just makes me mad. Everyday fertility clinics literally THROW AWAY unused fertilized human embryos, but the government and religion says its absolute murder to use this tissue. At the same point we spend millions of dollars a year to develop weapons to more effectively KILL PEOPLE yet the government refuses to support thousands of researchers trying to use tissue from a few embryos to develop potential cures that will save lives. Why can't we get a scientist in the White House instead of a C average Poli Sci major that doesn't have the foggiest clue what scientific research is about?
2006-07-09 11:16:49 · answer #4 · answered by Darefooter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you have to kill the genes in a fetus? I tried to donate my placenta for stem cell research but that hospital was not on board at the time. I am all for stem cell research. Good Luck to you!
2006-07-09 11:14:23 · answer #5 · answered by KAT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, considering the fact that stem cell research is going to be the cure for maaaaany genetic diseases, no, it can't be banned, and should actually be stepped up and become a part of subsidized health research.
2006-07-09 11:14:39 · answer #6 · answered by The Frontrunner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all stem cell research but I do believe that we should not allow the "harvesting" of our unborn. No one should be able to judge the value of a life. All life belongs to God. He gives it and He alone should take it.
2006-07-09 11:12:58 · answer #7 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How does that scripture have anything to do with scientists killing babies to save lives..he means for them to take care of each other, and for the "tonsil" comment how can you compare a tonsil to a fetus...that's ridiculous..and why take one life to save another? I see it as if it was a family member..I love my family more than anything but God doesnt mean for us to take other's lives like that ... ....pretty much I dont approve!!
2006-07-09 11:19:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Let the research continue to find cures for diseases and cure.
2006-07-09 11:10:40 · answer #9 · answered by A K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is bunk. Taking out a tonsil kills human cells, so what?
2006-07-09 11:10:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋