Comments on: an ethical question http://www.awakenalive.com/2007/04/11/an-ethical-question/ the [life + love + why] of Eric Henry Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:47:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: brett http://www.awakenalive.com/2007/04/11/an-ethical-question/#comment-5 brett Sat, 14 Apr 2007 18:39:02 +0000 http://www.awakenalive.com/2007/04/11/an-ethical-question/#comment-5 Psalm 139 says God knit us together in the womb, Psalm 51 says David was sinful (a human quality) from conception, Exodus 21 prescribes the death penalty if someone assaults a pregnant woman resulting in a miscarriage, Luke 1 John the Baptist is spoken of as a baby while still in the womb... the list goes on. No medical definition is given, but the principles seem clear. I believe that life starts at conception, though I recognize this belief is founded in Scripture, and therefore I do not expect nonChristians to be held to the same standard. I simply wish them to be consistent. I don't wish to see Roe V. Wade overturned, rather I would like to see legislation that clearly defines what human life is (heart beat, brain waves, etc), then let the existing laws regarding murder and manslaughter be applied appropriately. On the topic of stem cells, adult stem cell research is already federally funded and has shown FAR more promise and contains NO ethical debate. Embryonic stem cells have no inherent advantage. Psalm 139 says God knit us together in the womb, Psalm 51 says David was sinful (a human quality) from conception, Exodus 21 prescribes the death penalty if someone assaults a pregnant woman resulting in a miscarriage, Luke 1 John the Baptist is spoken of as a baby while still in the womb… the list goes on. No medical definition is given, but the principles seem clear.

I believe that life starts at conception, though I recognize this belief is founded in Scripture, and therefore I do not expect nonChristians to be held to the same standard. I simply wish them to be consistent. I don’t wish to see Roe V. Wade overturned, rather I would like to see legislation that clearly defines what human life is (heart beat, brain waves, etc), then let the existing laws regarding murder and manslaughter be applied appropriately.

On the topic of stem cells, adult stem cell research is already federally funded and has shown FAR more promise and contains NO ethical debate. Embryonic stem cells have no inherent advantage.

]]> By: Eric http://www.awakenalive.com/2007/04/11/an-ethical-question/#comment-6 Eric Sun, 15 Apr 2007 16:34:04 +0000 http://www.awakenalive.com/2007/04/11/an-ethical-question/#comment-6 I am definitely in agreement that life begins before the baby is born. I would not say that I am fully convinced that it is at the moment of conception, but I am definitely leaning more in that direction. I also don't think that Christians should attempt to force non-believers to be in agreement about this subject. I liked your idea about having legislation created to specify what human life is and when it begins. I think it would bring much needed clarity about the whole situation, including abortion. The problem would be finding a "line" that everyone can agree on. This still brings into question the issue of fertility problems among believers. If life starts at the moment of conception, how should we look at fertility clinics? Should a believer fertilize many eggs knowing that human lives are going to be disposed of? A very interesting issue indeed. I am unsure of where I stand. I know where I stand with abortion, and your point about stem cell research makes me think that embryonic stem cell research seems unneeded. If that were the case though, why would anyone push to continue embryonic stem cell research? (maybe they aren't, that's just what it seems like) I am definitely in agreement that life begins before the baby is born. I would not say that I am fully convinced that it is at the moment of conception, but I am definitely leaning more in that direction. I also don’t think that Christians should attempt to force non-believers to be in agreement about this subject.

I liked your idea about having legislation created to specify what human life is and when it begins. I think it would bring much needed clarity about the whole situation, including abortion. The problem would be finding a “line” that everyone can agree on.

This still brings into question the issue of fertility problems among believers. If life starts at the moment of conception, how should we look at fertility clinics? Should a believer fertilize many eggs knowing that human lives are going to be disposed of?

A very interesting issue indeed. I am unsure of where I stand. I know where I stand with abortion, and your point about stem cell research makes me think that embryonic stem cell research seems unneeded. If that were the case though, why would anyone push to continue embryonic stem cell research? (maybe they aren’t, that’s just what it seems like)

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