What You Should Know About Stem Cell Research

Introduction:

It is important to know about the issues of our time. Stem-cell research has been one of the main topics in the news for the last few years. The issue has played an important role in determining presidential and senatorial elections. So what is this issue all about? Why should Christians be aware of it? Should we be opposed to any and all forms of stem-cell research? Or…are there some aspects that are morally acceptable? What aspects violate Christian and moral principles?

I.      Understanding the Terminology.

A.     Stem cells: Raw material of which all cells are made.

B.     Stem cells come from a number of different sources. (Important to know!)

1.     Umbilical cord blood; Adults: (bone marrow, etc.); Adult cadavers

2.     Aborted fetuses.

3.     Human embryos created through in vitro fertilization.

4.     Cloning of Human embryos, created to harvest stem cells.

II.    Objections Considered

A.     We must not reason from emotion, when it comes to embryonic stem-cell research.

1.     We must not “do evil that good may come.” (Rom. 3:8)

2.     The end does not justify the means!

a)     We cannot reason from what we want!

b)    We are Christians! We first adopt the principles of God…we live by those principles…our desires and purposes are governed by those principles.

B.     Someone says, if the embryos are going to be destroyed anyway, why not use them for medical good?

1.     Isa. 5:20…Wrong is never made right by another wrong.

III.  A Christian’s Perspective on Embryonic Stem-Cell Research:

A.     We must respect all life.

B.     Scripture teaches that destroying innocent human life is sinful.

1.     Ex. 20:13 – refers to the deliberate, intentional taking of innocent life.

2.     Jer. 7:6; 22:3, 17 – shed not innocent blood.

3.     Pro. 6:16-17 – God hates hands that shed innocent blood.

C.    Embryonic stem-cell research requires destroying innocent human life and therefore is contrary to scriptural principles.

1.     Life begins at conception.

2.     If the body is living, then the spirit must be present.

D.    Consider these scriptures: (there is life in the womb)

1.     Psalm 139:13-15; Jer. 1:4-5; Lk. 1:41-44; Lk. 1:15; Gal. 1:15; Psa. 127:3

E.     Research that requires taking of innocent human life should be opposed by Christians.

Conclusion:

A.     This topic is not going away.

1.     We need to understand the issue and understand why destroying a human embryo is wrong … no matter the good that may come from research.

B.     All the potential good that can be done, can never merit the taking of a human life.

C.    John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10 – Jesus died so that we might have eternal life. Do you have this hope?