Embryonic Stem Cell Transplant: Murder of the Unborn?
By Lino C. Soriano
WIKIPEDIA reports that there have been estimates of at least 400,000 human embryos being stored in laboratories across the United States and more than 70,000 in Australia. Most of these embryos are to be destroyed, and only those found to be viable are being stored for long periods of time.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) are pluripotent – they can generate all types of cells in the body, thus, they are being widely used to treat genetic diseases and physical trauma, and reverse the effects of aging. However, not all transplants yielded the expected results.
In Europe and Asia, the number of human embryos being stored for stem cell research may double or triple the above number. Of the number, only a very small percentage are being used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Incidentally, on July 5, 1996, Dolly was born, she was the first mammal cloned from the udder cell of a 6-year-old adult sheep by nuclear transfer, while on July 25, 1978, Louise Brown, the first human conceived through IVF, was born.
FATAL STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS
TWO Filipino Congressmen - Erico Aumentado and Pedro Romualdo died after receiving stem cell transplants in Germany. Dr. Leo Olarte, president, Philippine Medical Association, said "They were transplanted with stem cells from sheep, rabbit and embryonic stem cell from aborted fetuses… Complications occurred upon their return to the Philippines (leading to their death).”
There may be other fatalities but their relatives chose to be silent, to avoid controversy, and probably because the victims may have signed a waiver absolving those who performed the transplant in case any serious complication or even death, occurs.
STEM CELLS, WHAT ARE THEY?
The human body including every living thing is made up of billions of cells. According to Watchtower (October 15, 2014) about 10,000 cells of the human body can fill the space of a pinhead. Our cells have their own specific functions in the body, i.e. white blood cells help fight germs, beta cells produce insulin to control body sugar, and melanocytes give skin its color.
Wikipedia says the human cells work as a team, and have specific functions; grouping together make up our tissues and organs. Stem cells that are produced in the bone marrow are different from all the other types of cells because they can develop into different cells with specific functions.
Adult stem cells can also be used in stem cell therapy but these cells are multipotent and can produce only a limited number of cell types.
The hESC are being cultured in a laboratory by means of IVF. In four to five days, when the embryo is still in the blastocyst stage, the pluripotent (embryonic stem cells which can develop into any type of cell, except those of the placenta) inner mass cells are being harvested, consisting of 50-150 cells. These can divide into cells for circulatory, nervous and immune system. Under a laboratory environment, hESC can grow indefinitely and can differentiate into almost all types of bodily tissue.
In China, human embryo stem cell research is being supported by government policies that permit the use of human embryos for medical purposes. While in Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the creation of embryonic stem cell lines is being allowed.
Reports say that the transplantation of hESC can reverse the effects of aging, making the recipient look younger and physically stronger; a number of diseases commonly found in senior citizens are cured or corrected. It was also reported to cure diseases – like some kinds of cancer - which are incurable using the conventional method of medical treatment.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health embryonic stem cell therapy can cure cancers, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, blindness, and spinal cord injuries, some blood and immune-system- related genetic diseases and disorders. Under laboratory conditions, it is also being used to reverse the effects of HIV.
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF hESC
ARGUMENTS OPPOSING THE hESC
Billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money are being spent for hESC research in many First-World countries. The research violates the sanctity of life because human life, even in its earliest form is inviolable.
· The Bible affirms that Human life starts upon conception - when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell to form a single cell;
· “Human embryos are not . . . some other type of animal organism, like a dog or cat. Neither are they a part of an organism, like a heart, a kidney, or a skin cell. Nor again are they a disorganized aggregate, a mere clump of cells awaiting some magical
transformation. Rather, a human embryo is a whole living member of the species Homo sapiens in the earliest stage of his or
her natural development,” Robert P. George, Princeton University Professor;
· “The viable embryo in the uterus IS A HUMAN INDIVIDUAL, therefore, destroying it, is a violation of the Sixth Commandment
(Thou shall not kill),” Dr. J. Glenn, The Bible and Modern Medicine, 1963; (Capitals ours)
· “A baby in a mother’s arms deserves the same legal protection as a baby in a mother’s womb, even at its earliest stage;”
· "…The word 'embryo' includes the time from after fertilization..." Dr. John Eppig, Member, NIH Human Embryo Research
Panel, 1994; and,
· There are numerous Bible texts affirming that life begins at conception, some of these are Psalm 51:5, Isaiah 49:1, Jeremiah
1:5, Luke 1:15, and Psalm 139: 13-16.
References:
· Papanek, John L., et. al. Blueprint for Life: Journey through the Mind and Body, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1993
· www.wikipedia.com
· www.medlineplus.com
· U.S. National Institute of Health
WIKIPEDIA reports that there have been estimates of at least 400,000 human embryos being stored in laboratories across the United States and more than 70,000 in Australia. Most of these embryos are to be destroyed, and only those found to be viable are being stored for long periods of time.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) are pluripotent – they can generate all types of cells in the body, thus, they are being widely used to treat genetic diseases and physical trauma, and reverse the effects of aging. However, not all transplants yielded the expected results.
In Europe and Asia, the number of human embryos being stored for stem cell research may double or triple the above number. Of the number, only a very small percentage are being used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Incidentally, on July 5, 1996, Dolly was born, she was the first mammal cloned from the udder cell of a 6-year-old adult sheep by nuclear transfer, while on July 25, 1978, Louise Brown, the first human conceived through IVF, was born.
FATAL STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS
TWO Filipino Congressmen - Erico Aumentado and Pedro Romualdo died after receiving stem cell transplants in Germany. Dr. Leo Olarte, president, Philippine Medical Association, said "They were transplanted with stem cells from sheep, rabbit and embryonic stem cell from aborted fetuses… Complications occurred upon their return to the Philippines (leading to their death).”
There may be other fatalities but their relatives chose to be silent, to avoid controversy, and probably because the victims may have signed a waiver absolving those who performed the transplant in case any serious complication or even death, occurs.
STEM CELLS, WHAT ARE THEY?
The human body including every living thing is made up of billions of cells. According to Watchtower (October 15, 2014) about 10,000 cells of the human body can fill the space of a pinhead. Our cells have their own specific functions in the body, i.e. white blood cells help fight germs, beta cells produce insulin to control body sugar, and melanocytes give skin its color.
Wikipedia says the human cells work as a team, and have specific functions; grouping together make up our tissues and organs. Stem cells that are produced in the bone marrow are different from all the other types of cells because they can develop into different cells with specific functions.
Adult stem cells can also be used in stem cell therapy but these cells are multipotent and can produce only a limited number of cell types.
The hESC are being cultured in a laboratory by means of IVF. In four to five days, when the embryo is still in the blastocyst stage, the pluripotent (embryonic stem cells which can develop into any type of cell, except those of the placenta) inner mass cells are being harvested, consisting of 50-150 cells. These can divide into cells for circulatory, nervous and immune system. Under a laboratory environment, hESC can grow indefinitely and can differentiate into almost all types of bodily tissue.
In China, human embryo stem cell research is being supported by government policies that permit the use of human embryos for medical purposes. While in Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the creation of embryonic stem cell lines is being allowed.
Reports say that the transplantation of hESC can reverse the effects of aging, making the recipient look younger and physically stronger; a number of diseases commonly found in senior citizens are cured or corrected. It was also reported to cure diseases – like some kinds of cancer - which are incurable using the conventional method of medical treatment.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health embryonic stem cell therapy can cure cancers, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, blindness, and spinal cord injuries, some blood and immune-system- related genetic diseases and disorders. Under laboratory conditions, it is also being used to reverse the effects of HIV.
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF hESC
- “Embryos are not equivalent to human life, they only have the potential for life but they are still incapable of surviving outside the womb;”
- “The life of a human being only starts when the heartbeat develops, during the 5th week of pregnancy;” and,
- “The blastocyst has no legal personality and cannot be declared by any competent court to be human, thus, obliterating it does not constitute a criminal offense.”
ARGUMENTS OPPOSING THE hESC
Billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money are being spent for hESC research in many First-World countries. The research violates the sanctity of life because human life, even in its earliest form is inviolable.
· The Bible affirms that Human life starts upon conception - when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell to form a single cell;
· “Human embryos are not . . . some other type of animal organism, like a dog or cat. Neither are they a part of an organism, like a heart, a kidney, or a skin cell. Nor again are they a disorganized aggregate, a mere clump of cells awaiting some magical
transformation. Rather, a human embryo is a whole living member of the species Homo sapiens in the earliest stage of his or
her natural development,” Robert P. George, Princeton University Professor;
· “The viable embryo in the uterus IS A HUMAN INDIVIDUAL, therefore, destroying it, is a violation of the Sixth Commandment
(Thou shall not kill),” Dr. J. Glenn, The Bible and Modern Medicine, 1963; (Capitals ours)
· “A baby in a mother’s arms deserves the same legal protection as a baby in a mother’s womb, even at its earliest stage;”
· "…The word 'embryo' includes the time from after fertilization..." Dr. John Eppig, Member, NIH Human Embryo Research
Panel, 1994; and,
· There are numerous Bible texts affirming that life begins at conception, some of these are Psalm 51:5, Isaiah 49:1, Jeremiah
1:5, Luke 1:15, and Psalm 139: 13-16.
References:
· Papanek, John L., et. al. Blueprint for Life: Journey through the Mind and Body, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1993
· www.wikipedia.com
· www.medlineplus.com
· U.S. National Institute of Health
WHAT DO VISITORS OF SMARTPINOYSATBP.COM SAY?
1. “We’re not talking here of legal personality, we’re talking here about human life in its earliest forms… Once the stem cells are ‘harvested’ from the Blastocyst, the latter dies and is destroyed, thus life ceases to exist. If a woman receives an egg cell fertilized through IVF, it will cling to her uterus in about 14 days, grow into a fetus and after about 9 months, a new baby is born. Lucidly, IVF for purposes of stem cell transplant is plain and simple murder!” Dr. Zenaida Y. Arao, principal, Juan Sumulong High School, Cubao, Quezon City
1. “We’re not talking here of legal personality, we’re talking here about human life in its earliest forms… Once the stem cells are ‘harvested’ from the Blastocyst, the latter dies and is destroyed, thus life ceases to exist. If a woman receives an egg cell fertilized through IVF, it will cling to her uterus in about 14 days, grow into a fetus and after about 9 months, a new baby is born. Lucidly, IVF for purposes of stem cell transplant is plain and simple murder!” Dr. Zenaida Y. Arao, principal, Juan Sumulong High School, Cubao, Quezon City
2. “If there is no other means to save the life of a patient, stem cell transplant is the last option,” Jose de Guzman, barangay captain, Barangay Socorro, Quezon City
3. “I share the same conviction with Princeton University Professor Dr. Robert P. George. Stem cell transplant means committing murder of the unborn,” Dr. Conrazo C. Calma II, DMD, Secretary, Barangay Socorro, Quezon City
4. “Thou shall not kill,” applies to all humans even in their earliest forms,” Mrs. Wilma Sales-Metrillo, president, Makakalikasang Manininda sa Murphy, Market, Quezon City
5. “Should we murder in order to save a life?” Mahinder Karamchand Singh, writer, Makati City
6. “According to Psalms 139: 13-16, the life of a baby even in its earliest forms – during conception, is so valuable to God,” Clemente Celso III, author, Bolinao, Pangasinan
6. “According to Psalms 139: 13-16, the life of a baby even in its earliest forms – during conception, is so valuable to God,” Clemente Celso III, author, Bolinao, Pangasinan
7. "The Creator respects human life even at its earliest stages; I strongly oppose embryonic stem cell research and transplant," Herbert Silverio, Head, Public Markets Division, MDAD, Quezon City.
8. "We should not tamper with God's creations; respect for human life is what every true Christian should manifest," Atty. Rogelio Domondon Directo, Trial Lawyer and Counselor-At-Law, Quezon City.