Hello Jeff,

JS>As many Christians expected, President Barack Obama has opened the
JS>proverbial "Pandora's Box" even further when it comes to embryonic
JS>stem cell research.

George W. Bush was the first president who allowed for federal
funding of embryonic stem cell research.  Barack Obama is the second.
The president who follows Obama will be the third.

In vitro fertilization has been used for years.  Nobody seems
to be complaining about that.  Even though the unused embryos
are frozen, not intended to be used for any future purpose.
Which begs the question as to why those discarded embryos are
frozen in the first place.

What to do with all those discarded frozen embryos?  Would it
be better for them to be destroyed by dumping them in some landfill
rather than use them for embryonic stem cell research (or for some
other seemingly useful purpose)?

Sperm banks store frozen sperm.  Whether that frozen sperm is
ever used for some future purpose is unknown.  However, the
possibility exists for that frozen sperm to be used.  And that
is the point (same as with frozen embryos).

Who owns the frozen embryos?  Who owns the frozen sperm?  Can
those frozen embryos be bought and sold?  Can quantities of
frozen sperm be bought and sold?  Females sell their eggs.  Why
not guys selling their (frozen) sperm?

Just think of what will happen when scientists invent zygotes.

Sperm + Egg = Embryo

Embryo placed in Zygote, grown to Baby.

All without having the need to be placed inside of a woman.

What is ethical, and not ethical?  How should ethics be defined?
And by whom?

JS>As I point out in my series regarding this issue, it is a well known fact
JS>that adult stem cell research, which is already being used in positive ways,
JS>is not hindered by these moral and emotional issues, because it does not
JS>involve destroying days-old embryos.

We clip our fingernails.  What should we do with all those discarded
shreds?  Should we save them?  Modern technology has enabled mankind
to do all sorts of things.  Some things unimaginable.  Including the
ability to destroy this planet.  Along with all life on it.  The same
technology has also enabled individuals to live longer and healthier
lives.

We are stewards of this earth.  Not masters of the universe.
But oftentimes we tend to forget who we are, and what our true
purpose is, or is destined to be.

--Lee


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