Southren Baptist Convention Statement on Stem Cells.

From: "Stephen Meyer" <meyer74@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Statement on Human Stem Cell Research-Southern Baptist
Convention

Statement on Human Stem Cell Research
The Research Institute
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Southern Baptist Convention

As evangelical Christians we applaud the relief of human suffering
and attempts to cure disease. Our calling is to follow Christ, who
himself "went to all the towns and villages . . . healing every
disease and every sickness" (Matthew 9:35, HCSB), and who taught us
to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

Regenerative medicine-the replacement of defective or diseased human
tissue with healthy new tissue derived from stem cells-has moved
quickly over the past decade from hopeful speculation to some early
clinical successes. The potential this has to heal chronic
debilitative diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and
Parkinson's disease, and serious injuries, such as spinal cord
injuries, could result in a great blessing to humankind since these
types of diseases and injuries are among the leading causes of death
and disability in the industrialized world.But, while affirming the promise this research has for good, we object strongly to the notion that pursuing cures for some ever justifies intentionally destroying other human lives to achieve those cures. Thus, while we embrace the experimental research and therapeutic use of adult stem cells, we reject embryo-destructive research or therapy.

Stem cells are the unspecialized "master cells" of the body. They
are able to produce all of the other types of cells (skin, brain,
muscle, etc.). Human embryos have been promoted by some as an
excellent source of stem cells. Nevertheless, a human embryo is a
human life, no matter his or her age, manner of conception (natural
conception, in vitro fertilization, or cloning), or location
(uterus, test tube, or Petri dish). Embryonic stem cells can be
obtained only at the cost of ending these innocent human lives. We
cannot accept the destruction of these young and defenseless humans.
It is incumbent on a just society to protect the lives of these
little ones and to search for alternative sources of stem cells.
Researchers are currently making great strides with stem cells from
non-embryonic sources. Stem cells can be found in many of the
various tissues of the body, as well as from placentas and umbilical
cords. Stem cells from these tissues are known as adult stem cells,
and obtaining them does not require the destruction of human life.
Furthermore, we note that adult stem cells-in contrast to embryonic
stem cells- have shown initial success in the actual treatment of
human disease. Embryonic researchers cannot report such findings
even in laboratory animals. Also, adult stem cells have not shown
the high rate of tumor formation found with embryonic stem cell
experiments. Some have questioned honestly whether embryonic stem
cells will ever be a reliable source of replacement cells in humans.
Only the most committed ideologue would continue to encourage embryo-
destructive research in the face of these facts.

On August 9, 2001, President Bush banned federal funding for
research on living embryos while authorizing tax-funded research on
embryonic stem cells from embryos which already had been destroyed.
We affirm the desire to create a "culture of life" in America, and,
therefore, call on the public and private sectors to affirm the
sanctity of human life by rejecting human embryo-destructive
research and pursuing adult stem cell research.
One proposed source of human embryonic stem cells is so-
called "therapeutic" cloning. Cloning, put simply, is the generation
of a human being by means of non-sexual reproduction. Yet,
manipulating the process of conception does not mean that scientists
are able to create a category of human life that is less than a gift
of God. The moral status of a cloned human embryo is the same as a
naturally conceived human embryo. While the American public has
expressed its repugnance toward cloning, nevertheless, cloning
advocates intend to generate human embryos for the express purpose
of cannibalizing them for their stem cells. In addition to the
inherent immorality of cloning, "clone and kill" protocols will
erode the public's revulsion of cloning, lead to the crass
commodification of human life, and further coarsen our regard for
the special dignity of human life.

The most important question in this debate is whether we ought to
engage in cellular manipulation that results in the destruction of
our youngest human beings. Neither the scientific community nor the
biotechnology industry should decide this question. We all have a
stake in this matter since it threatens to redefine our
understanding of what it means to be human and undermine the respect
we owe to individual human lives, born and unborn. Adult stem cell
research provides the opportunity to participate in the potential
benefits of regenerative medicine without compromising deeply held
beliefs about human life. Human embryonic stem cell research
represents a barbaric assault on the dignity of humankind and,
therefore, erodes one of the fundamental values that have shaped our
civilization.

doesn't have the diseases that embryonic stem cell research can cure. Either that or they think it's 'God's punishment' that someone they know has it.

These idiots seem to think that 'God's will' trumps any and all scientific advances. If they truly believed that, they would be living in log cabins with no running water, no medical care, no way to preserve food other than drying it, certainly no climate control, and horses as their mode of transport.

" barbaric assault on the dignity of humankind"

I guess the invasion of Iraq doesn't count as a barbaric assault?

:shrug:

I have parkinsons and every day I wither in pain. I tremor, shake, and walk slowly. I fell today in a public resturant and a waiter had to help me up returning from the restroom. Where were these people then? Oh and I go to church every week and I pray to my god, the god of reason peace and healling that there is a cure.

Once a person is born they are fair game for anything in the eyes of neocons/fundies. :eyes:

Life begins at conception and ends at birth.

It would go well on a leaflet I would think.

"If George Bush were alive when Edison invented the light bulb he would have sided with the candlestick lobby." :rofl:

We can't have no science going on here! :scared:

Very well.

derived from stem cell research, and they can shut their friggin "god-fearing" mouths so just maybe they can find a cure for Parkinsons or my MS, or any of the multitude of degenerative diseases people suffer from! Or, they can pay for my injections ($1800 a month), watch my kids on the days when I can't get out of bed, push my wheel chair if it ever comes to that, and tell me to my face every fucking day that their convictions are more important than DanCa or my suffering! I hate these assholes more than I can ever convey!

where in the same boat. It's time to start playing hard ball here.

You are absolutely right! One of my friends who is now in a wheel chair suggested that the next time the Senate brings it up we should, and I quote "Mobilize our gimp army and show them the true meaning of "sit-in":rofl:

What we should do is make a giant ass float of all our medical bills and pill bottles and drive it too the white house and than strike a match to the float. Lol so far I haven't gotten a response :D

stem-cell research! candlestick lobby, I love that, had forgotten all about it!

And I am free to my opinion. I disagree with their stance, and view the belief that a single cell embryo is equivalent to a post partum human being as incorrect. Sperm and eggs are also human life, albeit in an haploid state, but nonetheless, human life. There is nothing about a fertilized egg that makes it any more human than the two haploids a microsecond before fertilization. Is a baby equal to a sperm? What about the soul? Does an embryo obtain a soul upon fertilization? The soul is a religious construct which I, as an atheist, do not have to accept in a plural society with separation of church and state.

I also find it hypocritical to praise the Bush administrations ban on stem cells and then mention a desire to create a "culture of life" in America. Fundamentalists were the power behind the last election, they support Bush and his war in Iraq. I am sorry, war is the antithesis of a "culture of life."

You and I are both composed of carbon atoms. Can we apply the stem cell arguement to carbon based products? Oh I agree I'll back anybodys right to practice a religion 100 percent, but I will refuse to let anyone legislate thier religiosu beliefs. Or as John Kerry said so elequently. "you can advise but you can't legislate articles of faith."

carbon is not alive. The smallest unit which is considered to be a human life is a single cell embryo, an egg, or a sperm. You must be careful with onanism, you may be guilty of mass murder. :evilgrin:

But, I agree, the core of the argument rests upon religious belief, and as such, republicans are legislating christian beliefs upon the rest of society.