:Reasonable Force

I was engaged in some discussion over at Evangelical Outpost and decided that some of my comments really ought to make their way into a post here.

It was rightly pointed out that pro-life objections to embryonic stem cell often neglect to address the underlying issues regarding the existence of the large numbers of embryos resulting from fertility treatments. These embryos, pro-stem cell research advocates argue, are already slated for destruction in many cases. We would counter that one evil does not justify another. Kelly J. Hollowell, on behalf of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, makes this point in her analysis of a 2001 letter to President Bush, signed by 80 Nobel laureates in support of embryonic stem cell research:

To suggest that it is permissible to use embryos for research purposes because an already tragic decision has been made to destroy them represents an absolutely chilling lack of moral conscience.

This mentality is consistent with Nazi medicine. Taken to its logical conclusion, prisoners on death row, the elderly, patients in chronic comas, mentally retarded persons, and others destined to die or be cast away from society could and should be used for experimentation in the name of furthering research to save others.

That begs the question, however, of why more noise isn’t made about the fate of these embryos in the absence of using them for research, or about the procedures that produce them in such abundance to start with.

I think for many, the answer is simply that two and two haven’t been put together. For others, however, it is more likely the awareness that it wouild be political suicide to come out publicly with a hard line against commonly accepted fertility treatments that prevents this issue from being raised. That applies, sadly, to pastors as well as politicians.

I suggest that the root of the problem is that, in all things, but certainly when it comes to having children, we have made our desires paramount over an older view that accepted conception as the province of God. Clearly I’m speaking primarily of believers here.

The modern Christian (or postmodern, if you will) determines when and if they will have children, and how many. Soon they will choose whether they will have a boy or a girl, if they’re not already. Soon after, they will determine in advance height, hair color, and whether they prefer athletic or musical aptitude.

If our career goals are incompatible with children we use birth control. If, when we’re ready, children are not forthcoming, we go to the fertility clinic. When we’re ready to stop having children we undergo surgery.

I’m not arguing against examinations and/or treatments to make sure all our parts are in working order, but beyond that I would suggest that we have lost the view of children as blessings bestowed upon us by God and view them, rather, as something to which we are entitled when we’re good and ready, and only in the quantities with which we’re comfortable.

This is one area in which we have adopted the world’s view of things without even blinking. When we begin to examine the extensions of our arguments against some of these more abominable practices, however, our error is brought to light.

Understand, please, that I am not condemning any and all fertility treatments. In a fallen creation it is difficult at times to know how far to go in correcting things that don’t seem to be working as they should. My wife and I have discussed where we believe that line is and we will not cross it. Each one’s conscience would have to advise them in this.

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