Ricardo Gonzalez
ID: L31156909
September 2, 2021
Journal Entry: Image of God
Liberty University
Master of Arts in Medical Sciences
MSCI 640-B01
Introduction
Genesis 1:27: So God created man in his image, in the image of God he created him; male and
female he created them (Bible, 2008). It is a culmination of this week's content and how we can
interpret this as moral and ethical human beings. The content centered around some key issues
that continue to plague our society even now. When does life begin and end? Euthanasia,
abortions, genetic tampering, pregnancy enhancement, and ethical considerations regarding
reproductive technologies. And how within an ethical framework can we consider questions
regarding this moral or immoral.
The first week's readings were on biomedical ethics regarding stem cell research and
opposing points of view for each consideration. Right away, the first viewpoint was directed at
how unethical stem cell research is because of the religious argument that using stem cells even
from destroyed human embryos is unethical and morally unacceptable (Clark & Rakstraw,1994).
The Catholic Church does hold that the destruction of such embryos is unethical by extension;
there is no manner in which using tissue from embryos for research would be without
participating in an immoral act. In understanding where this moral dilemma comes from,
knowledge of what stem cells are and where they come from our essential to the discussion.
Stem cells are unspecialized cells in the human body that can develop into any cell and self-
renew (Zakrzewski et al.,2019). There are subclasses within stem cells that scientists are
interested in, and what they depend on how and where they are retrieved from is central to our
discussion of stem cell research. The Totipotent stem cells can divide and differentiate into cells
of the entire organism. The most sought-after stem cells because they have the highest potential
of differentiation and allows cells to form both an embryo and other embryonic structures
(Zakrzewski et al.,2019). The example they used is when the totipotent stem cell is a zygote that
occurs after fertilization. After about five days, when the zygote is given a chance to develop, we
then get to where it forms into three germ layers or forms a placenta. During this process, the
blastocysts from their cell mass and then become pluripotent. Pluripotent stem cells are our
following subclass of cells that scientist is after and they provide for means of future
regenerative medicine with very promising utilization (Zakrzewski et al.,2019). Then there is
multipotent and oligopotent, which is the spectrum that just means they are cells further along
with the development that begins to narrow in their ability to differentiate. Now that we have a
clear definition of stem cells, we can examine if stem cell research is ethical.
The church defines that life begins at the moment of conception and that any destruction of
embryos or use of their tissue is therefore immoral. I choose to outline the above perspective
because it is one that I adhere to vehemently. Some critics argued that life does not begin until
there is a breath and self-consciousness appear; others contend that the spinal column begins to
form when attributable physical differentiation begins. Jeremiah 1:4-5 Then the word of the Lord
came to me saying Before you were born, I knew you, I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
Scriptures point to personhood before birth and how God knew you before you were born, tell
directly to the concept that at concept maybe even before life begins. With the statement in mind
is how I would counter-argue with the use of stem cells. I am not forsaken stem cell research; I
agree with presidents Bush's veto of H.R.808 to extend research only to lines of stem cells
already in existence (Wagner, 2008). The other alternative is to use adult stem cells.
Those that contend the beginning of life is not at conception remove the humanity away
from the decisions is my personal opinion. Those who believe stem cell research is ethical assert
there is no evidence or persuasive argument against not using stem cells for research. This
viewpoint must be expanded on to understand both sides of the debate. Ronald A Lindsay says
that using embryos does not amount to killing an individual human person (Wagner, 2008). He
suggests that a five-day source has no identity and is just a bunch of undifferentiated cells. He
justifies his use of stem cells by proclaiming their potential for life-saving therapies is paramount
and should override our moral prerogatives. The compromise between these two positions is that
there is a possibility of someday participating in stem cell research without destroying an
embryo.
When does life Begin and End?
All of the topics presented this week are adamant ones to consider. The notion of life and death is
at the forefront of this ethical dilemma that people encounter daily—Clark & Rakestraw present
fascinating views on the ethics of life and death. The right to life theories coupled with the
ideologies of functionalism and essentialism will bring people to a crossroads on the ethical
roadmap. A functionalist will define a human organism became a person when it learned
something when it acts personally as a moral, intellectual, and as spiritual agent (Clark &
Rakestraw, 1994). In essentialism, a human organism is a human person. That is to say that by
endowment, they have the right to life, so a fetus is considered personhood because they are
developing into a human (Clark & Rakestraw 1994). Life begins at conception, and life ends, a
person loses ability, or their potential ceases (Clark & Rakestraw 1994).
Given that I adhere to the image concept, God's image of us is made to his liking as it is known
and cared for by God at all stages of life. The universal principle that must always be in place is
respect for the human body in the beginning or the ending. Although I follow the church's
definitions of morals, that's not to say that there are no medical and scientific validities to some
of the inquiries presented.
I will touch briefly on whether abortions are right or wrong for the sake of length.
Whether pro-choice or pro-life, it is either correct or incorrect (for the individual). The most
critical question in this debate is whether the fetus is considered a human being? Pro-life
advocates accentuate the value of the unborn. Pro-choice supports weigh in on the mother's side,
suggesting she has self-determination in the right to produce (Clark & Rakestraw, 1994). There is
also what is known as a therapeutic abortion, performed to save the mother's life, which is
another dilemma that should be considered. Exodus 21:22-25 If people are fighting and hit a
pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely. Still, there is no serious injury; the offender
must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is
serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for
foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise (Carrol, 2008). This verse has been used
to interpret both sides of the argument (lex talionis) state the retribution law that it is considered
killing a person if there is an abortion. If the child is born without complication, it is acceptable;
however, if the mother dies, capital punishment is warranted (Clark & Rakestraw, 1994).
I stand with the church's view on abortion that it should be pro-life; however, when we look at
therapeutic abortion, there is a difference that makes it ok. The self-defense concept that to save
or own life, the baby; s life does not override this.
Reproductive Technologies
This week's reading was highly contentious as I read many varying opinions on the subject
through the discussion boards. One of the questions on our discussion board refers to a man that
will undergo chemo, which may make him infertile; the case being, is this right or wrong? These
kinds of technological advances have made a change in how we can procreate. The main
procedures now that bring ethics into the question are artificial insemination (AI), in vitro
fertilization (IVF), and artificial insemination from a donor (AID). I agree with the authors on
IVF that it is not morally wrong; the procedure itself is in question. Some of the practices by-
products are used in unethical ways.
Lastly, I would like to conclude with constantly airing on the side of caution. Whatever
side of the ethical issue a person is on, the ultimate respect for the human body must be the most
critical first step before considering anything else because God created us in his image.
Furthermore, by his extension we are created before we are even born, our personhood starts at
conception. I will leave you with Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and
before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. That our
very souls and life is God’s will, that he endows upon us, and it is our duty to protect the
sanctity of life.
References
Clark, D. K., & Rakestraw, R. V. (1994). Readings in Christian ethics. Baker Books.
Carroll, R. (2008). Bible-kjv. Oxford University Press, USA.
Wagner, V. (2008). Biomedical ethics. Greenhaven Press.
Zakrzewski, W., Dobrzyński, M., Szymonowicz, M., & Rybak, Z. (2019). Stem cells: past,
present, and future. Stem cell research & therapy, 10(1), 68.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-019-1165-5
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