Obama’s stem cell decision baffles conservative Christians
By: Elizabeth Moreton
On March 9, President Obama signed an Executive Order revoking the ban on human embryonic stem cell research, “restoring our commitment to science and [resuming] funding for promising stem cell research,”
as he said in his speech that morning.
This stem cell order revokes the previous order by President Bush in June 2007 that restricted stem cell research, and it restores the ability to federally fund human embryonic stem cell research, which had been restricted by Bush in August of 2001.
Under President Bush, research on human embryonic stem cell lines was permitted only if the lines were created before August 9, 2001.
President Obama’s order removes this date barrier, which he calls “arbitrary” because it had “no basis in science and was not required by any law.”
According to a White House fact sheet, the executive order calls for the development of “guidelines for the support and conduct of responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law.”
Martin Grumet, of the Rutgers Stem Cell Research Center, said that Obama’s order will help research in general by allowing the use of stimulus funds, but the order does not go far enough.
“A lot more needs to be done. Congress and the President need to make a long-term commitment to a substantial increase in monies for stem cell and other kinds of research,” said Grumet.
President Bush’s order restricted federal funding for Rutgers’ and other stem cell research facilities across the country, but many found a way around this by increasing their state funding.
With the current economic woes, state governments often have to cut back on funding, so the reinstatement of federal funds is greatly appreciated by scientists and researchers.
While the executive order benefits the scientific community, however, it bothers another group of people.
The stem cell reversal is especially perturbing for conservative Christians, whose main argument against embryonic stem cell research is due to ethical issues about what constitutes life.
Most Christians take a negative stance against stem cell research because they believe the process is taking the life of an unborn baby.
During his election campaign, Obama described himself as a Christian as well, but this latest decision leaves Christians scratching their heads about their leader’s seemingly non-Christian decision.
In his speech on March 9, President Obama called the previous debate on stem cell research a “false choice between sound science and moral values,” saying that “the two are not inconsistent.”
He said, “As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and to work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research- and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly.”
James Leary, the executive director of Mission Mid-Atlantic, an east coast association of conservative Christian churches, still disagrees with Obama’s decision to allow government funding of stem cell research.
He explains, “There’s no need to do that. There’s no guarantee that exploring that kind of stem cell will accomplish anything. Experimenting with the lines of research he is opening up has too many ethical issues that haven’t been answered.”
Leary speculates that Obama’s decision may have resulted from pressure put on him by interest groups, instead of coming from Obama’s personal beliefs.
“I don’t think he’s explored the theological or ethical issues around it,” said Leary. “You really can’t justify it with scripture.”
Obama said in his March 9 speech that “the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown, and it should not be overstated,” but he emphasized that “medical miracles do not happen simply by accident.”
His decision avoids the ethical debate entirely, but it clears the way for scientific breakthroughs that could be found in the meantime.
Still, conservative Christians are left wondering what else Obama may do, given that this major ethical decision already became an issue less than 90 days into the presidency.
To read the White House Executive Order, click here.
To read a fact sheet on the Executive Order, click here.
