What the Bible says about stem cell research?

Answer 1

Scientists use human cells for Stem Cell research. There are two sources of these stem cells: from human embryos [ie unborn babies] and adults. A good summary is found in Wikipedia:

"While embryonic stem cell potential remains untested, adult stem cell treatments have been used for many years to treat successfully leukemia and related bone/blood cancers through bone marrow transplants. The use of adult stem cells in research and therapy is not as controversial as embryonic stem cells, because the production of adult stem cells does not require the destruction of an embryo."

(From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell_research )

Although adult stem cells have used to successfully, research is being concentrated on stem cells from embryos

What does the Bible say about children, both born and unborn?

The death of an unborn child was treated the same as if it was murder:-

Exo 21:22 "If men fight and hit a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no serious injury, he will surely be punished in accordance with what the woman's husband demands of him, and he will pay what the court decides.

Exo 21:23 But if there is serious injury, then you will give a life for a life,

Exo 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Exo 21:25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

(NET Bible )

(The king James translation for this refers to 'mischief' and is not as clear as this modern translation of the NET Bible. Also, the NET bible is deliberately not copyrighted. [It can be downloaded at http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=2579 ] )

In the Old Testament they had to obey the letter of the Law, but we now have to obey both the letter and the spirit (or intent) of the Law:-

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Mat 5:18 For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled.

Mat 5:19 Therefore whoever shall relax one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.

Mat 5:20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

For example, this spiritual fulfillment of the Law means that just thinking about committing adultery is the same as actually doing so:-

Mat 5:27 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, "You shall not commit adultery."

Mat 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

In the same way, this would mean that just wishing to kill anyone is the same as actually killing them: allsinful acts originate with sinful thoughts in the mind:-

Jas 2:10 For whoever shall keep the wholeLaw and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Jas 2:11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." But if you do not commit adultery, yet if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the Law.(MKJV)

Jesus was most emphatic about the importance of not deliberately harming or abusing children (not to be confused with things like spanking) :-

Mat 18:2 At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Mat 18:2 He called a child, had him stand among them,

Mat 18:3 and said, "I tell you the truth,unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!

Mat 18:6 "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in meto sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the open sea. (NET )

(The Scriptural note [sn] on verse 6 about this says:-

"sn The punishment of drowning with a heavy weight attached is extremely gruesome and reflects Jesus'views concerning those who cause others who believe in him to sin.") Jesus saw a child as defenceless and innocent, so an embryo would be utterly defenceless and completelyinnocent.

In summary, the Bible condemns to death those who kill children even if unborn, thus calling embryonic stem-cell researchers murderers, in contrast to adult stem cell research which would be biblically-acceptable as it does not kill the adult. Answer:The bible has absolutlely nothing to say about stem cell research. How could it? Science was so far away from anything like it at the time the bible was written. Any claim concerning any stance taken in the bible on stem cell research is only that individual's interpretation of what god might think about the topic.

Also belivers are notorious for picking and choosing from the bible what to pay lip service to and what to ignore completely.

Answer 2

The Bible does not specifically mention stem cell research. Different Christian denominations have varying views on this topic, with some supporting it for its potential to treat diseases and alleviate suffering, while others oppose it due to ethical concerns surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells. Ultimately, individuals should prayerfully consider their own beliefs and values when forming an opinion on this issue.