~ by Jim O'Hara ~
Submitted to OTHER VOICES, Star Banner, July 10, 2001
As a child, when a member of our extended family died, my parents told me God called them home to Heaven. They said our short life was important but not as important as an eternal life in Heaven. Do what our religious leaders want us to do, and we could be together in Heaven when we die.
A history of medicine, such as Andrew D. White's, A HISTORY OF THE WARFARE OF SCIENCE WITH THEOLOGY IN CHRISTENDOM, highlights how powerful religious leaders have been the greatest stultifying factor restricting the growth of medial knowledge. For centuries, they claimed that God controls sickness and health and living and dying. With threats of punishment for anyone who challenged God's control it's understandable why few if any people sought other answers to questions about sickness and death.
Fortunately, some brave scientists brushed aside the stultifying influence of their religious leaders and systematically started investigating why people get sick and how to help them get well. The results of their efforts and the efforts of later researchers have helped us live longer, healthier lives than previous generations. Absent the religious restraints of the past, scientists already may have developed cures for Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal-cord degeneration, Alzheimer, and even the common cold among other ailments.
Today a debate rages about the use of stem cells taken from test tube embryos which scientists tell us holds promise or revolutionizing the practice of medicine. Use of these embryos to cause pregnancies is accepted by the public. As a byproduct of the use of embryos and their stem cells to cause pregnancies, scientists discovered that stem cells have the potential to heal and save the lives of untold millions annually.
Some religious leaders claim that using the stem cells for any purpose other than to cause a pregnancy violates their religious doctrine as it requires destroying frozen embryos which they say are humans. They want their religious doctrine to be the law of our land to govern everyone. Such leaders also want the power to tell all males and females what we can and can't do with our sperm and eggs. I and many others don't want that.
Thousands of stem cells from frozen embryos go unused annually. Knowing the potential benefit of stem cells for them and their loved ones, Americans would willingly donate their sperm and eggs to produce stem cells to be used to heal and save lives. We have given blood and body parts to help others. Using our bodies to help heal other people and save lives is very humane and ethical It also is consistent with the doctrines of many of the world's religions.
While I disagree with those who oppose federal funding for stem cell research for religious reasons, I respect their right to have their religious beliefs, and trust they will respect my right to disagree with them.
Despite the potential life saving benefits of stem cell research, President Bush tells us he will oppose the use of federal funds for any research which would jeopardize what he repeated calls his "Catholic vote." He looks forward to getting help from the pope when they meet on July 23.
James M. O'Hara